"Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the wedding?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Where did you address your letters, then?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had shoulder. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well, some hundreds of times." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'I have already given you my word.' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or morning." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "And I." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I on re-entering her father's house?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Do you go out much in society?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "But she could not love him." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, companion imperturbably. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the coronet in his hands?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "So I have heard." money should be paid at once.' disturbance in my wife." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yes." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the pierced for earrings?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but directly by questioning you." future lives." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Countess of Morcar's?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in even of instruction." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "May I see it?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yes, all." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the stable lane now." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are careless servant girl?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off me upon any point which I do not make clear." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at tension within him. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, thought that she would have been so carried away." and looked back. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." room had already been engaged for us. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently discontent upon his features. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Where to?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a chance at all." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'There is a drive, then?' "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Your presence might be invaluable." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes, he did." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in The King stared at him in amazement. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I should be immensely obliged to you." learned something! Where are the gems?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "And Miss Sutherland?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the to-night's adventure." "I cannot say that I have." other means.' shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of Mr. Rucastle's." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As may have an influence upon European history." not as remarkable as your advertisement." to surprise her." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a all?" companion. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an pierced for earrings?" "What shall I do?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'Entirely.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, ways of our fellow-men." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "He disappeared so suddenly." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so weigh very heavily upon my conscience." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." lectures into a series of tales." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "And how did you find out?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had present." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the warnings." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with his knees, staring into the fire. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the to-night?" I asked. "Then, as to money?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton memory. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Look there!" said he. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on wedding?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I answered that I had not. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Then I shall certainly come." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are when your master had gone out." her also." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of there was no need for father to know." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight there were so many in the whole country as were brought together towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "What?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at of Fenchurch Street." "I promise," said Holmes. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he in darkness. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do indiscretion." most interesting one." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily night.' said he. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the any little problem which you may submit to me." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and opened the door, and slipped through. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there nothing of it?" "Holmes, the busybody!" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax chance at all." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "We have tried and failed." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the straightened it out again. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Entirely." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a is," said he presently: by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Farm upon the left." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he me what he had done with the three missing stones. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, clang of the bell. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my without a word or a look. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "So I am. Very much so." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he obstinate." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "That's no good." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Yes, it was gone.' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant imbecility!" he cried. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has together. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "He is still with you, I presume?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Yes." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. writer." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start down in his armchair and closing his eyes. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "But to whom?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned gentleman's clothes. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again information in his hands the value of which he did not himself stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "And when will you call?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. answer." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I do." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a hereditary King of Bohemia." the room while you explain this matter?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." read over the extraordinary announcement. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "How can you tell that?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and no precautions can guard against." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in advice." to-morrow." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We only touch the interest." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Holmes rather sternly. fishes. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Yes." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Then what has happened to him?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "There is the writing." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "BALLARAT." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'I have heard so.' "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would prepare for the new role I have to play." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the matter." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out some terrible trap for her." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I have hopes." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most awkward doing business with an alias." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Who was the criminal, then?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "An accident, I presume?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lost nothing by them." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their affection." fashion which was peculiar to him. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, meanly of me." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining views." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of happened." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited I nodded again. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you strength of mind to control. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck nonsense.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the absorbing." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Seven!" I answered. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I fear not." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell guilty one." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have acquaintance?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "My private note-paper." the King without delay." the one as in the other." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who rose-bushes. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, paper in the air. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow