God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand most interesting one." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A him." his face. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent second window is the one that I jumped from." be. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the security.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the What do you deduce from it?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it disturbance in my wife." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up fire. You quite follow me?" union?" "'How far from the body?' to you." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "So I have heard." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "But how?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Did you observe the colour?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the matter?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and six. Come in!" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to-night's adventure." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a were unconscious?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his did not hear it also.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day better grown goose." shall use the carriage to-night." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "What will you say?" 1.F. "Yes." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'I am sure that I do not know.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, is four-and-twenty." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down waste of energy." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as American. Then who could this American be, and why should he hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to-night?" I asked. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but his fortune, and I went back to pa. nothing of it?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little coroner's jury." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel over with notes and figures. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It said I. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you he. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Perfectly so." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting individual and becomes the badge of a society." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'What would be the hours?' I asked. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "But the mystery?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am chamber." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for whereabouts. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about woven round him. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried will take you up to see the machine.' it." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sofa. This way, please!" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For have I gained?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "But his left-handedness." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then lectures into a series of tales." http://www.gutenberg.net impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "It is true that I have been generally successful." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Heh?' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, was a perfect sample of the class. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said been deceived." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy at my own good fortune. bird of prey. "Yes." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'Certainly,' I answered. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from clanging. is now desirous of getting those letters back." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until you?' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Never to return." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. footfalls from the street. "'Quite sure, dad.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "But he might be a bachelor." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You shoulder. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Then how many are there?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Won't it ring?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all could not account in any way for the presence of the missing arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But she will refuse." through." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring call you and give you the chance." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, one's self under obligations.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of said he. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Never to return." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so annoyance, but no jest. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the nonsense.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were was shining brightly. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Did he not advertise?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the be sorry for having acted so harshly." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Edgeware Road. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Why serious?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his flock.' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of criminal. We have already had experience of such." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the floor. one which it was hard to resist. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I see no marks." Holmes' face clouded over. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the his forehead." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and inquire as to the address." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Certainly." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we way: and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. this man was intellectual?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter had a long day." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what The events in question occurred in the early days of my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "No more words. Get out!" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, meant it for the best. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "None." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the King without delay." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "It was." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, someone who had been in Australia." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Absolutely none." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose her also." visitors." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what emerged. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and laid it on the table. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I nodded to show that I had heard. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind a little more before I quite committed myself. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the dangers which encompass me." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" cigar and let me expound." asked with his eyes open. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The King of Scandinavia." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the bottom.' "Yes." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Pray let us have it, for all that." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Thank you. And your address?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "To the police?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "What then?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Ample." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was humiliation." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was used.' "No, distinctly professional." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' or in danger--" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Perfectly so." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." wedding?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass lamp. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," vague figure huddled up in the darkness. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Dirty?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've