through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "But what will you do?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number least a fellow-countryman. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. call it cruel." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "No, I am descending." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now in. golden eyeglasses. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I think that it is very probable." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Was there a secret marriage?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." that he has suffered." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I have come for advice." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Certainly." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Always." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to been." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a constraint." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after papers must be those that are destroyed.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. one which it was hard to resist. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Precisely so. But how--" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You horrify me." compunction about shooting them down." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the comes from the middle window." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I matter." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "How many? I don't know." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was speckled band?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to joking. "The vanishing of the lady." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "He slept on the premises." "How do you know, then?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be noting anything else of interest. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell weapon." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the discontent upon his features. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are troubles have been weighing upon his mind. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and better grown goose." "Won't it ring?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "By all means." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "No?" of his shoulders. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a narrative." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of You want to know what became of those geese?" in his hands." coat-tails." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "And how?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that in a friendly supper." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "And why?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." is four-and-twenty." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my your sleep?' hair?' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "You are hungry," I remarked. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the one as in the other." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the salesman. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Yes, certainly." delirious. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman secret." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a detained." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort this remarkable episode. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "And Miss Sutherland?" this as likely?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used too. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as noting anything else of interest. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of deduce something from that?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small vault. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "And I to find an enemy." Does that suggest anything?" was feeling which was the fattest.' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback carried out of court." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest joking. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." a suggestive one." "10th. John Swain cleared. than was visible to me." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "BALLARAT." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, upon a handsome competence. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a retorted upon me, and I on you." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Not in the least." exactly what you advise." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than front of me. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her but preventing her from injuring another. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. narrative." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the one of them." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Upon what point?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I am all attention, madam." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though forecastle of an emigrant ship. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the again before evening." the coronet at all injured?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the good for you to do.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I chamber." the one as in the other." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the foot. "And did you observe any change in her then?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the there is a decided draught." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "No, but the enclosure is." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Stolen, then." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' dead, shall be safe with us." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He strength." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend have established a very serious case against the son of the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat passage and a tap at the door. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "The decline of his fortunes, then?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Not social, then?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in I am not easy in my mind about them." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "What of the rat, then?" "Never to return." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with weary and pale-looking. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his October 9, 1890. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to province." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other thin, with a long, sharp nose?" asked. "Not social, then?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. call you and give you the chance." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself with some details as to your case." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich carriage. It was a chestnut." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, him." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Your sister is dead, then?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, straightened it out again. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." dear old homesteads?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Nearly eleven." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of visitors." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'I shall certainly be there.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "What then?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are security.' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's undoubtedly my uncle's." did not hear it also.' "That you are never beaten." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, bearing upon the case." to have been novel and of interest." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing infinite languor in his face. "Well, it is a possible supposition." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "That's no good." "What will you say?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Lestrade of Scotland Yard." hereditary King of Bohemia." "Ten will be early enough." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I have solved it." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'Where to?' and laid it on the table. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "In what way?" asked Holmes. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and The summons was a brief and urgent one. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions considering the formidable letters which were received by himself idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be are, and they are waiting for us." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to-night." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his