the peculiarities of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at
his business address asking him if he would come here. As I expected,
his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but
characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from
Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the description
tallied in every respect with that of their employe, James Windibank.
_Voila tout_!
And Miss Sutherland?
If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old
Persian saying, There is danger for him who taketh the tiger cub, and
danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman. There is as
much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much knowledge of the world.
IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY
We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the maid
brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran in this way:
Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the
west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Shall be
glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Leave
Paddington by the 11:15.
What do you say, dear? said my wife, looking across at me. Will you
go?
I really don t know what to say. I have a fairly long list at
present.
Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a
little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and you
are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes cases.
I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained through one
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