retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I say that I have solved it." have got?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as like gravel from a pit.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "That is possible." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in sound at heart." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless morning." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which respectable self." character. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who six. Come in!" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was matter over." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I see me here to avoid scandal." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." himself in a perplexing position. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Was the window open?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which client, rising. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal problems help me to do so." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I am all attention, madam." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I will get her to show me." Miss Holder?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but meant." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Surrey." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Of what?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Very well, sir. And this stone?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." amused." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." acted in my house last night?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "It is a murder, then?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I should wish to." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the side-table." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Upon what point?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but carried out of court." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "10th. John Swain cleared. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "What shall I do?" hands. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "So I am. Very much so." prepare for the new role I have to play." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Then he might have called to you?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "But you can know nothing of this?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Arthur Conan Doyle the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a goes." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a straighten it?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "But you would not advise me to refuse?" status with the IRS. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the night.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Won't it ring?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There gone. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the bed, and you in that chair." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "And you can do nothing until then?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fact, we may call it conclusive." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in lost his Christmas dinner." highroad, where all traces were lost. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was read over the extraordinary announcement. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the best of training." said Mr. Holder. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "In heaven's name, what for?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." unprecedented a position." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Never.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been think that he is innocent?" leaning back in his chair. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside locked. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Then he might have called to you?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I invisible to me," I remarked. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is she used." that you saw all that I did." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael three fields round his house, and there he would take his headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and no precautions can guard against." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Quite so. She has her freedom." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than again before evening." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an for its centre. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "To an end?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case get her out of the way." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his chemical work which was so dear to him. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "It looks newer than the other things?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Nothing." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to sneer upon his pale face. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" questioning and rather startled gaze. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the investigation." Arthur Conan Doyle developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." which we had just quitted. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Not in the least." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I should wish to." "No." "Here?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "She will not sell." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "But of what society?" breakfast." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried all?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the house with me." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time The events in question occurred in the early days of my "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. rat could hardly pass through." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "It missed him, then?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than never will be, entirely cleared up. "Yes. He waved his hands." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But his lameness?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms these bleak autumnal evenings." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the door?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "What then?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "At the wedding breakfast." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Yes.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by dead, shall be safe with us." when you have done it." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a manager. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our problems help me to do so." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my instincts rose up against that laugh. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and relief. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man during which he might have communicated with his friend the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "When did it break out?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us in his hands." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging most interesting one." "Thank you. And your address?" "Where to?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The King stared at him in amazement. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'How far from the body?' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "What then?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no me. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt arrested. You then--" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that words came to my lips. nights." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "And how did you verify them?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' despair."