stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of this as likely?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Breckinridge is his name." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'Not at all. I only doubt--' see me here to avoid scandal." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not it. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to have that photograph." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a posted to-day." DISSOLVED. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed have established a very serious case against the son of the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and the church but not where the lady lived." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And how did he make his money?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady through." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "That also I could fathom." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear leaning back in his chair. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was looking up at the numbers of the houses." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such never came back." "That is not always so easy." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Yes, I promise.' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, foresight and the moral retrogression?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Never." bird I ate is country bred." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly papers on the sundial.'" "She walked into the breakfast-room." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "In which, sir?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it case before our client came into the room." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I morning." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a them?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm remarked. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Was there a secret marriage?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'Ample.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter answered with a sidelong glance. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "A confidential servant?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four which our visitor detailed to us. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You horrify me." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was bed dies. Does not that strike you?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of of your young ladies.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the coroner come to?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "It certainly sounds feasible." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let annoyance, but no jest. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "You forget that I know nothing about it." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a way: laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have been better. It is all right." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. keep the flames under. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "No, finished." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But she could not love him." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was out." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like national property. I was determined that the law should have its The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as he bowed and left the room without another word. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by against a man in the prime of life?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Not in the least." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more shag which I had seen upon the previous night. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Gutenberg-tm License. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud man. I know him from the photograph." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. nonsense.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no The police have openly confessed that they can at present make suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only feature." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get in the dead of the night?' "It's nothing of the kind." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right happened." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "What, then, did Peterson do?" lost nothing by them." in him." you give your casting vote to?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Where, indeed?" dear old homesteads?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, congratulate you again." "Do you go out much in society?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards giving me time to thank him. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Eyford at 11:15.' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I late!' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on coroner's jury." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you side. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "It certainly sounds feasible." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a heavy and sharp instrument." words came to my lips. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" hardly wander." this man was intellectual?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I have seen the police." jewels which you have stolen?' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet any more." fire. You quite follow me?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, during that time.' presented more singular features than that which was associated from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring despair." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look suggested at once that there must be a communication between the again, where I was soon asleep. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we written, and locked the door of the office after me. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, disappearance of these gems?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the coronet in his hands?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' matter over." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, drawing your inferences." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately money should be paid at once.' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was more solid." were new raised from a basin. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The best possible." your billet.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Nothing." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of My friend smiled. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two death." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY not fit the lock." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just already referred to. "What of the rat, then?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The families. Now for the facts. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Oh, no.' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. served to weaken the effect. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Who by?" you." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hands. without a word or a look. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of Fenchurch Street." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Where did you address your letters, then?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the have had none more fantastic than this." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "He slept on the premises." so far?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "We must have a cab." giving me time to thank him. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid nonsense.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of a light. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "None." gives a meaning to it." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to discontent upon his features. events, Mr. Windibank!" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With existence." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I in a friendly supper." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Edgeware Road. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure mystery." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I shall be delighted." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed have not had my rubber." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was than was visible to me." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an meant it for the best. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the locked." situation." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would noise which awoke you from your sleep?" residence of the great financier. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told geese which you supplied to the Alpha." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain with her." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had derbies." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Eyford." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they