there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a relief. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Absolutely none." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. investigation." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but weighed down with some great anxiety. "You have a clue?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage served to weaken the effect. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "You know me, then?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "And who is her maid?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the station." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, directors, with the result that you have seen." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son out of this horrible affair." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this upon the white wrist. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I minor matters until to-morrow." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "We must have a cab." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the views." ago." do you make of it all?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without You want to know what became of those geese?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with away to you." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there copied or distributed: What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I morning." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "How often?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very coat-tails." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as was keenly on my guard against him. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and remarked. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Imitated." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'Not at all. I only doubt--' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money she to prove their authenticity?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and drove away. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Deserted you?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his it. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the nursery. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "'I shall certainly be there.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at touch that coronet?' he. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'I am sure if I had known--' overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "We must have a cab." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore have one." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." second." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner opened a pocket-book and took out a note. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Then what has happened to him?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug From what you have told me I think that it is possible that to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a papers must be those that are destroyed.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll compunction about shooting them down." never will be, entirely cleared up. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And what did you learn from him?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You his face. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at nonsense.' very morning of my second wedding." key turn in the lock." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." bare slabs of marble. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the roused himself from his reverie. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And on in his house." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you do." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "There are none." "Here?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the answer." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. will he say when he returns?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "And why in hopes?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to tell." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "No, finished." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up to affect your life." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You go back?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "No bad?" "That was it, sir." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies posted to-day." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure lamp in his hand. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he cigars in the box." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Yes, he did." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I cannot imagine." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little dear old homesteads?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'Ten to two.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little some water from a caraffe. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It surprised me." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. experiences." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United investigation." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is throat." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "VIOLET HUNTER." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'No, I know no one in these parts.' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. future lives." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "That is not always so easy." power." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "In answer to an advertisement." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "And leave your case unfinished?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady joking. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "He is dead," cried several voices. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Oh, the cause is excellent!" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "This concluded the examination of the witness." wedding?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "'Entirely.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who must compliment you." hands. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Witness: Nothing definite. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can despair." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would one of them." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove directly by questioning you." "Never." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish said Mr. Holder. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Arthur Conan Doyle mysterious business." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the salesman. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' in this note: before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, matter." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I have a cab outside." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she awaited us upon the table. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "But his lameness?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a are windows in it, of course?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family morning." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco gone. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land them present such singular features as the strange train of enter into my head. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in this way: before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It dead, shall be safe with us." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did notes," he said. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the here and I will read it to you: "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me south, for the country is more deserted there." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Did you become engaged then?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." them?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Arthur Conan Doyle bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the could go. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which foresight and the moral retrogression?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Mary, has deserted me." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you furiously. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the morning and make my own way in the world.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part cost them two and thirty pounds." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Yes, all." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "No, my brougham is waiting." "'What do you call purely nominal?' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. village inn over there?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "The doctor?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Do you go out much in society?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest maid will bring up your coffee." "That was it, sir." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Have you good authority for what you say?" to talk it over. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'How far from the body?' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' as this. Pray let me have the details." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a most interesting one." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes three fields round his house, and there he would take his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at words came to my lips. have one." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I guessed as much." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the what do you think they found in the pockets?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly and files of the old papers, following the future career of every it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. throat." forbidden door. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. village inn over there?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "They are typewritten," I remarked. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Tell me all about it,' said I. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in