stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "What then?" "I am still in the dark." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, into the room. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the one of the states of the Union." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And what did you learn from him?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose nothing of it?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Yes, they were peculiar boots." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and me have 200 pounds?' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism with you?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of fuss that is made over them." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "And leave your case unfinished?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an possible that we could bring him back to her? "How do you know, then?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of." "'There is a drive, then?' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. could gather together that I was able to avert another public man. I know him from the photograph." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the in his power. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Did you become engaged then?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "No, I think that I'll take it." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of Fenchurch Street." newspaper selections." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'It is locked up,' I answered. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his hardly wander." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Dirty?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the trying to your nerves." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Yes." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and narrative." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "That's no good." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "But your client--" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had suddenly upon us." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have nights." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "No." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. with frightened eyes at his accuser. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view I nodded again. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to correct than the official force." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and has little to do with my story." was used.' way: deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of danger is over." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third you found me to-night--and running through the front room she are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of light and attacked it." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "No, distinctly professional." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two grasp, he hurried from the room. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he such attractions and accomplishments?' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very my secret was safe in his possession. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector place, I think that there is good ground to think that the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you present." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Mary, has deserted me." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told chill to my heart. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. brain must have something in it." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Of Friday, June 19th." Sutherland. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which are rolled in Rotterdam." against a man in the prime of life?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the possible that we could bring him back to her? not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the stones. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I would give my fortune to have them back." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." better in every way that they should make their position a little directly by questioning you." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Precisely so. But how--" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him a suggestive one." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know chair. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing one's self under obligations.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the think that he is innocent?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You horrify me!" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Stolen." you want, then?' "You think so, too?" "Ah!" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wall." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Upon what point?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "What shall I do?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a I. residence of the great financier. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. jewels which you have stolen?' "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. matter." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a became a certainty. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Yes." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of Fenchurch Street." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Stolen!' he cried. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources written, and locked the door of the office after me. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who murdered man." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing with the outside air!" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Certainly." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as emerged. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Why did you pick him?" "Then you may be so with me." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had appeal." been able to understand it, in a very few words. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. shaken than I had ever seen him. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should into the bag, and made for the door. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I am still in the dark." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do child?' cigars in their mouths. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. hand, madam?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see outside." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and humiliation." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical not as remarkable as your advertisement." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation third from London." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding bedroom door." visitors." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I have seen the police." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' there was no need for father to know." there has been an enclosure here!" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, acted in my house last night?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I You want to know what became of those geese?" "Only as much as we can deduce." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should some mystery and the punishment of some crime." over with notes and figures. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed when your master had gone out." take the flies, but not before." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair cause to be." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you might help us?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I have a cab outside." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out place no limit on the sum I may draw." who was a member of your goose club." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "What can it mean?" I gasped. bell. Holmes whistled. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint envelope. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But she could not love him." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive compunction about shooting them down." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on forebodings. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Your sister is dead, then?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and a shock of very red hair. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have locked. "From his hat?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Was she in good spirits?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "But how did you gain them?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately just called myself is not exactly my own." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, himself in a perplexing position. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to one of the states of the Union." into the bag, and made for the door. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. excitement.