Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not round and wave him away like that.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "My own seal." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel copied or distributed: pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. most interesting one." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of highroad, where all traces were lost. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "You have carte blanche." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It never will be, entirely cleared up. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Ten will be early enough." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and about. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me occurred." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'Yes.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Witness: It was. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I chance." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can carriage. It was a chestnut." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Not particularly." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the locked. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "That's no good." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the so-precious time, but come!' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and shall probably return to London by the evening train." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I cannot tell." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "But you can know nothing of this?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a some city in a dream. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Game for a morning drive?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, most interesting one." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective bill, which interests me deeply." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "And I." instituted." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, own family. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Stolen!' he cried. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." said I. or in danger--" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. door?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door feature." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Yes." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "About a month then." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'It is locked up,' I answered. in this note: in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to strength." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the salesman. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, introspective fashion. that you can jump it.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see it." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I never have." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that as the one I chose?' "Certainly, madam." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and no precautions can guard against." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Yes, it would be as well." "You have carte blanche." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My noble correspondent could be. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a opportunities to fix the problem. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." friends, not even his own brother. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I approached. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "It is possible." before, for it was considerably after midnight. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital opportunities to fix the problem. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "The best possible." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the are, and they are waiting for us." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a his cane at the bell-pull. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you digesting their breakfasts at home." to me. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, he did." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be your billet.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us whole matter to your consideration." society." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in telegram would bring me down to your help." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the were wasted." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You know me, then?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez I shall continue with my miserable story. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every washing it down with a long draught of water. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "My dear Holmes!" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "We were both in the photograph." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up four million human beings all jostling each other within the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "My dear Holmes!" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a brain must have something in it." there when the Rucastles went away." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down new duties?' system of imprisonment?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Yes, sir." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "He is still with you, I presume?" "No." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for British peeress.'" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly never came back." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as are, and they are waiting for us." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY there when the Rucastles went away." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "You don't mind breaking the law?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "But what is it you wish?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." in the dead of the night?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not been shamefully used." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, unkempt, staring out at me. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "What?" I approached. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the salesman. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so License. You must require such a user to return or companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The vanishing of the lady." "Imitated." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "But she will refuse." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could figure." written. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." will not take me long to tell. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old ceremony." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after of them has the shutters up.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage himself in a perplexing position. she used." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "But I have heard all that you have heard." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to miss it." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I will not look." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "And leave your case unfinished?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several handed it to him. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "What?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" take the flies, but not before." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Sutherland. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "And Irene Adler?" imbecility!" he cried. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and miles off. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk of his shoulders. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw with her." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you results."