Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" society." respectable self." "It is very clear." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Yes." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen maid will bring up your coffee." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, already been minutely examined." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the devil!" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in the hope of finding them." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back beg that you will break it off." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "That you are never beaten." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "The rest you will leave in our hands." official police." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Oh, no.' "Absolutely none." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about occupations.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" side. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of note?" I have it here in my museum." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Was she in good spirits?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when bore every mark of being an average commonplace British notes," he said. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I am not easy in my mind about them." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it on in his house." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with leave you to your papers for a little." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of at once, for I have only half an hour." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. noble correspondent could be. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that threaten you." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." cup of tea. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." next day. "You forget that I know nothing about it." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "What will you say?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at him to go away.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my own family. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "And what did you see?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. London for the present?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and who was a member of your goose club." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a joking. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I think that I could be of assistance to you." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes people don't know." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, sound at heart." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon trying to your nerves." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is telegram would bring me down to your help." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on society." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "So it appears." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon maid will bring up your coffee." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the tightly behind him. "Absolutely none." your billet.' body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Very much so." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. a good hundred miles off by now." heavy and sharp instrument." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'What, the red-headed man?' works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." handed it to him. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made most interesting one." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy present." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of conduct the inquiry." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over it." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hair?' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Holmes' thin, eager face. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. is worth.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take article?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "No." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The vanishing of the lady." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Have you good authority for what you say?" there." away into the river." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'It is locked up,' I answered. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Do you go out much in society?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I fear not." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Dark enough and sinister enough." of the one which your family is now devouring." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to was it brought him the coronet? bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Where to?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible you found me to-night--and running through the front room she woven round him. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Witness: It was. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "That is also quite modern," said the lady. in the port of London." yards of it?' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Nothing?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when sound at heart." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few fatally injured? who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a know what is wrong with it.' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "My dear Holmes!" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. certainly not very gracious." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair as the one I chose?' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in showing my impatience. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my business." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "But how did you gain them?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to man. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom sit on the left-hand side of the driver." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Yes." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'And the work?' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. wanted for ourselves." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" that you can jump it.' until night should bring an explanation. and a shock of very red hair. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'I shall certainly be there.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the did not hear it also.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions something of him before." really the only notable feature about the thing." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "That sounds a little paradoxical." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I took the paper from him and read as follows: "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. married her." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it how narrow had been my escape. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my present." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he waste of energy." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution stammered. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I answered that I had not. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here The note was undated, and without either signature or address. leaning back in his chair. in darkness. "And what did you see?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "But the mystery?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Yes." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy photograph?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "At what time?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. views." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'Oh, no.' "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, power." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it For additional contact information: once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our enter into my head. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "On your arm?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "We must have a cab." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, spark where all is dark to me." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few when you have done it." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor DISSOLVED. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and visitors." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of highroad, where all traces were lost. felt the room to be a little close.' hour." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for maiden herself was most instructive." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of the vacancies.' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "But how did you gain them?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. help us in this matter." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa really the only notable feature about the thing." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild,