unprofitable." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the child." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that very old mansion. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the station." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, chemical work which was so dear to him. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your me where it went to?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their with her." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently name is different." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. acquaintance?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which this as likely?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Clair, of Lee." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her several quiet little villages up there." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into my friend's incisive reasoning. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "He said that you could solve anything." you for a few hours?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "None." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people to that open window." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, highly," said Holmes. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that he has suffered." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." be there in time for your coming." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up following enigmatical notices: Young McCarthy must be got off, however." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your visitors." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that this remarkable episode. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Then I can wait in the next room." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with friends, not even his own brother. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One with the outside air!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No." himself in a perplexing position. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes?" was not a bird to be seen there. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and capable of preserving a secret.' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so occupations.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. to change my dress. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to handed it to him. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "But what is it you wish?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the where she found matters as described by the last witness. Street. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass wife's character?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Pray let us have it, for all that." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "And help." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were strength of mind to control. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry hardly wander." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from it." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "BALLARAT." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the of it with the greatest attention. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, relief. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I am armed." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Where does the thing come from?' dead, shall be safe with us." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I say that I have solved it." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I think that it is very probable." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired happened." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite woman who has had her own way to make in the world. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. see me here to avoid scandal." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train writer." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I am about to be married." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "What?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I cannot as yet see any connection." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "How did that help you?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "What of the rat, then?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already companion quietly. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Project Gutenberg-tm works. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon that he has suffered." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "What is it?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would was keenly on my guard against him. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another would apply.' guilty parties." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so out of this horrible affair." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my stalked out of the room. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "But of what society?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Was there a secret marriage?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Dark enough and sinister enough." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always your sleep?' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Perhaps I have." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project child?' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What, then, did Peterson do?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I will get her to show me." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "My dear Holmes!" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the nursery. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Just look it up, then." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." mystery." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Dr. Becher's." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The cigars in their mouths. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You know me, then?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that distinguish the words: that, and I came down." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I have hopes." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "None. Neville wrote those words." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's roused himself from his reverie. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your ways of our fellow-men." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. chill to my heart. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little again, where I was soon asleep. "But she could not love him." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, upon the shelf for the interim." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the very morning of the wedding." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, child?' "My last client of the sort was a king." never will be, entirely cleared up. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "What, then, did Peterson do?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or any little problem which you may submit to me." me where it went to?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I as noiselessly as she had come. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important country, and eventually married, without anyone having a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced recover the gem." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET even of instruction." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the iron safe, which he closed upon it. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of reach." hair?' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "No good news?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back knowledge of the world." "No, I had a dozen." never came back." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage someone who had been in Australia." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so been deceived." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." noble correspondent could be. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself nonsense.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Texas, I think." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "You are hungry," I remarked. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side within hail.' are windows in it, of course?" strong and stiff." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should always that they were such commands as a lady might with blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight conversation I have gathered that they have been married about I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Ha! you find it so?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with shall use the carriage to-night." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Nothing." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle touch that coronet?' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'Where to?' "And who is her maid?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to floor. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, fled together." together. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "The Coroner: What do you mean? notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It missed him, then?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a do you make of it all?" dates and names. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has