future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and your relations to her." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon said Mr. Holder. hereditary King of Bohemia." at my own good fortune. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he ready to-morrow?' man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such character. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is wife's character?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to obstinate." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" eavesdroppers?' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Heh?' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train characteristics, but those are the more obvious." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with arrangements." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would garden below. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce opened the door, and slipped through. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the heavily into it. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "But what is it you wish?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with strength of mind to control. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Just look it up, then." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some national property. I was determined that the law should have its appeal." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a get her out of the way." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. You want to know what became of those geese?" conduct the inquiry." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from which we had just quitted. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I thirty. "Nothing." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" with frightened eyes at his accuser. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, works. See paragraph 1.E below. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most down from London to inquire more deeply into it." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where You want to know what became of those geese?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. disappearance of the bride.'" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Who by?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had back to my heart. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as something of him before." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something their singular warning or token before them when starting upon other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." was lame." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I straighten it?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide you want, then?' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I have solved it." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much married her." late." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was upon the shelf for the interim." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. this man was intellectual?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I will do it." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and whether it answered to the description of any of their Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences purpose of examination. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she which should have the effect of calling the attention of the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Where to?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "A call for help, you thought?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Then, how do you know?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled secret." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the definite end. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Frequently." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made him nearly every evening." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Perhaps I have." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "And how did he make his money?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I of this gang." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than with you?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Will you go?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Where is it, then?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and inquire as to the address." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire said I. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a is a common subject for conversation. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. strength in the others." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Nothing." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." have had none more fantastic than this." so.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. seen the man in the road." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from some mystery and the punishment of some crime." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon gone. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of have one." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes, that is the Crown." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just forecastle of an emigrant ship. heavily into it. quick march!" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Munro.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right shaken than I had ever seen him. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very everything which you would wish to know." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way girl said." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, enough to aid us in our search." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No frequently gained my first real insight into the character of but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Perhaps we may make them less so." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There fluttered off among the others. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Eh? What was that?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "The doctor?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "There are none." "Was there a secret marriage?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "How did that help you?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose you in your example." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her something of him before." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce better in every way that they should make their position a little sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It writers could invent nothing more crude." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. leave you to your papers for a little." me have 200 pounds?' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle points to suicide?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong you, my dear young lady?' and that he would see to anything that turned up. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a My friend smiled. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses society." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Certainly not.' in darkness. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the morning and make my own way in the world.' as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You think so, too?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of it with the greatest attention. your equipment. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." locked." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And that is--" have an American origin." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and relief. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was 1.E.9. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hard-headed British jury." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I leave." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in gentleman's clothes. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew you." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the ceiling. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "That is it on the dressing-table." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then green of the new foliage. "Tired-looking or fresh?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying fuss that is made over them." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "It is very clear." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Precisely." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!"