to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said companion. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his records." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "You forget that I know nothing about it." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I would pay ten." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, just called myself is not exactly my own." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able drawing your inferences." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be DISSOLVED. "Why, what do you mean?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the King without delay." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to tackle the facts." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "No, finished." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety started for the Temple to see my husband. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, ashen face. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "That sounds a little paradoxical." shoulder; "he's all right." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg your troubles." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You are hungry," I remarked. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, once more for Briony Lodge. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent his face which made him a very different person to the round, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the interests were the same as his." observed. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and night.' said he. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I have solved it." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the inner apartment." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom situation." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his one which it was hard to resist. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in beyond words. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I shall be delighted." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "He is dead," cried several voices. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. that you can jump it.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Where, indeed?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." eat it." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Serpentine Avenue. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of receipt of the work. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "9th. McCauley cleared. bell. Holmes whistled. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you heavily into it. himself. "Stolen, then." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most indiscretion." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so is a common subject for conversation. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for impression behind it as though a window had gently closed shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of Mr. Rucastle's." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of awaited us upon the table. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Why? What do you mean?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Of what day?" "'Entirely.' Serpentine Avenue. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. been with you?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Chief Executive and Director fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true throat." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way points to suicide?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of know what is wrong with it.' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I you for a few hours?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Where is it, then?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I cannot imagine." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a affair. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and for its centre. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Lestrade of Scotland Yard." detained." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "So I am. Very much so." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are records." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "But your client--" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Yes, at the mines." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And you thought he was pulled back?" said I. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Was he the only applicant?" everything which you would wish to know." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go chance." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the gone before you can get him to hospital." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the stable lane now." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that I can to serve you." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into a room. "'I have already given you my word.' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the general public were present, then?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and it need not interfere very much with one's other wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Very. But will he see it?" "And for present expenses?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and breakfast." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "But you were on a friendly footing?" may have an influence upon European history." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the later, upon the night of May 2nd." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The fluttered off among the others. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst next day. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events washing it down with a long draught of water. present." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Heh?' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and your relations to her." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with evidence," I remarked. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'And what are they worth?' I asked. to a light-house. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have an American origin." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an present." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And why?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by easy-going way." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Never,' said I. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "What do you mean?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Arthur Conan Doyle nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even over here." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Of what day?" "'I have already given you my word.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither locked. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. you in yours." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "At the wedding breakfast." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us morning." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our individual and becomes the badge of a society." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, to take care of herself." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Was your sister dressed?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that matters immensely." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "None." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was room?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret asked. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. third from London." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "That also I could fathom." golden eyeglasses. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'What would be the hours?' I asked. morning." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and certainly not very gracious." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I he died? once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are secret." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of do you make of it all?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out instituted." crime. drove away. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural you for a few hours?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an cup of tea. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we manager. III. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant have had none more fantastic than this." "'How far from the body?' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the later, upon the night of May 2nd." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a John Swain, of St. Augustine. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Were they all fastened this morning?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it in his hands." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than your co-operation." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the this Miss Turner." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove it were putty." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Ah, but I was recommended to you." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "But it has twice been burgled." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came