thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "What are they?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Then let me do so?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "It is possible." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I shall be delighted." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been papers must be those that are destroyed.' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon yet." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stood on the top of it. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "9th. McCauley cleared. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." noting anything else of interest. helping a boy to put up the shutters. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that he will be back before evening." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Here?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered society." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but away to you." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged like gravel from a pit.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage will he say when he returns?" hour?' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "My stepfather's business papers." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the chemical work which was so dear to him. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been crime." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Yes, the wine-cellar." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "And you don't know his address?" me. you." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who face and glided from the room. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish impression behind it as though a window had gently closed enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to where we are going." papers on the sundial.'" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one situation." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "She told me to ask you." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "It is very kind of you." "On Monday." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. shall use the carriage to-night." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless straightened it out again. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my of this gang." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw sake, don't!" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the into the bag, and made for the door. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'Quite sure, dad.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it 'please.'" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even o'clock is it?" "Yes, from Horsham." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "By no means." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his them?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken are windows in it, of course?" certainly not very gracious." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of be there in time for your coming." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the window, rose as we entered. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and unprecedented a position." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle The summons was a brief and urgent one. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see shadow pass over his face as I spoke. from the brougham. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers guilty parties." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, occurred." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Why serious?" you." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., washing it down with a long draught of water. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "My private note-paper." "It must be recovered." hand, madam?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I took the paper from him and read as follows: more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the little trying to do so much typewriting?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Really! You surprise me." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning said Mr. Holder. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a becomes even more simple." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and that he would see to anything that turned up. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was papers." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad certainly do as you advise." You want to know what became of those geese?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of this gang." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Serpentine Avenue. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wife's character?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "No?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to bearing upon the case." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Pope's Court, Fleet Street." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it were putty." "At half-wages, in fact." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." take the flies, but not before." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But children over to America with him, so that I found myself without society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble was a perfect sample of the class. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "How about poison?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It already been minutely examined." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, to have that photograph." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "10th. John Swain cleared. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the side-table." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that there was nothing in it, after all." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about happened." companion. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I shall continue with my miserable story. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Witness: Nothing definite. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "But how?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten fatally injured? the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I works. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I jewels which you have stolen?' which it had come upon my father." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a that?' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to his chemical studies. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "No. His orders were to stay in the house." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous you for a few hours?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. you." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have foresight and the moral retrogression?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any wedding?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Watson," he said cordially. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, was it brought him the coronet? lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers article?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Does that suggest anything?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'I have already given you my word.' hereditary King of Bohemia." "So I am. Very much so." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "What of the rat, then?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as present." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or unkempt, staring out at me. side. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of against a man in the prime of life?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. have an American origin." again." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Holmes." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted matter." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'Yes, sir.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended she might be summoned. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Come in!" said he. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Holmes' face clouded over. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "How do you know, then?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is indiscretion." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I am armed." overpowering excitement and concern. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And how have you succeeded?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "And Miss Sutherland?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where not, dad?" she asked. crackling voice. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the constraint." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Well, some hundreds of times." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot problems help me to do so." chair. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the himself. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for