of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And from a noble client?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones heavy and sharp instrument." away into the river." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a strong and stiff." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how The summons was a brief and urgent one. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "None." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom forbidden door. "Of what day?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Certainly." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Yes, certainly." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my six. Come in!" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Certainly." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Is he quiet?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to that I can to serve you." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Entirely." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own shall use the carriage to-night." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "The gentleman I describe." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who during which he might have communicated with his friend the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "So I am. Very much so." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Do you know him?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Certainly not. But why?' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. security.' "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of sit on the left-hand side of the driver." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "My dear Holmes!" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Did your wife hear all this?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" before the coroner and the police-court." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, your only hope of safety." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a your room." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. power." to talk it over. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to it." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not particular state visit http://pglaf.org the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Stoke Moran?" said he. tell me that you intended to go into harness." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect only touch the interest." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "It is very kind of you." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the nursery. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." is worth.' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went be.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and cause to be." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would cause to be." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most spare." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. weapon." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It was an hour's good drive." papers diligently of late, have you not?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the very morning of the wedding." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain to a light-house. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "BALLARAT." "Yes, sir." desk. nights." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of receipt of the work. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San cheerful." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I ceremony." "It is solved." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three voice. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "What office?" was not a bird to be seen there. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which interested in these little problems, and since you are good Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for in him." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of Mr. Rucastle's." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been characteristics, but those are the more obvious." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Where does the thing come from?' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed child?' "Did your wife hear all this?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I am in hopes that she does." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Married! When?" appeal." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "You'll never persuade me to believe that." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the writers could invent nothing more crude." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and crime." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir breakfast and whispered something to her husband. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I think that it is very probable." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No more words. Get out!" chance." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his see me here to avoid scandal." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, room had already been engaged for us. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an with some details as to your case." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were a very grave face. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees purpose equally well?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and laid it on the table. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Sutherland?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "But you can know nothing of this?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could ways including including checks, online payments and credit card so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was my former friend and companion. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" upon the white wrist. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. hand, madam?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ congratulate you again." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "And how have you succeeded?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "What will you do, then?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the nonsense.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what yourselves in at night?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but spare." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'And what salary do you ask?' Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "But how did you gain them?" "And how in the world did you find them?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Gutenberg-tm License. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his his fortune, and I went back to pa. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. think that he is innocent?" "Precisely." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Henry Baker is a member." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted to-morrow." in this note: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'What then?' I asked. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to in a very precise fashion." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Why, what do you mean?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money companion. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously disappearance of these gems?" "It surprised me." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of certainly do as you advise." delirious. have one." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. ceremony." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside waste of energy." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. six. Come in!" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several becomes even more simple." "No." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. for securing the situation." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Entirely." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "But you can know nothing of this?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Pray do so." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly as noiselessly as she had come. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, strode off upon his way. good-night and bustled off upon her way.