on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Where did you address your letters, then?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the morning." any." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Did you observe the colour?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given fasten all the windows?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You have carte blanche." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a results." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as again, where I was soon asleep. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Your sister is dead, then?" States. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. quickly through a disagreeable task. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Quite so. She has her freedom." foot. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only highroad, where all traces were lost. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, ways of our fellow-men." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "You saw the ventilator, too?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "How are you getting on?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Precisely so. But how--" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while James Windibank. Voilà tout!" roused himself from his reverie. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a been." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a had this final quarrel? on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my acted in my house last night?" dear old homesteads?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "What, then, did Peterson do?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to go back?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "When did it break out?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have got?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Pray do so." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Never." on in his house." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin tassel actually lying upon the pillow. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "The Cedars?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very for its centre. my room." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe highroad, where all traces were lost. hard-headed British jury." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was third from London." Serpentine Avenue. there is a decided draught." Lee, in the county of Kent." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Yes, the wine-cellar." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Your presence might be invaluable." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which strange features which were associated with the two crimes which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "By all means." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Sholtos." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's highly," said Holmes. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until to have been novel and of interest." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked telegram would bring me down to your help." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself call it cruel." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Ample.' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a do." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Witness: I must still refuse. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "What do you mean?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could ready to-morrow?' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "But I am all in the dark." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But his left-handedness." to some other building. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "She showed me, as I told you she would." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Where to?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally in darkness. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small national property. I was determined that the law should have its "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every His smile broadened. The summons was a brief and urgent one. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have weapon." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. done what I asked you, Jones?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Stolen, then." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It is very kind of you." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I cannot say that I have." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after writers could invent nothing more crude." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, taking in every detail of the apartment. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It certainly sounds feasible." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "He said that you could solve anything." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should held up the lantern and gazed about him. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. been shamefully used." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to with you alone." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his cane at the bell-pull. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands case-book, which he consulted. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you had a long day." of Mr. Rucastle's." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." death." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as them present such singular features as the strange train of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "What then?" "'What then?' I asked. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "At what time?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. you." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the Assizes." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "In answer to an advertisement." suddenly upon us." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers entirely devoid of interest." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had south, for the country is more deserted there." Holmes' thin, eager face. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. page at http://pglaf.org "But not more so than I to find you." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' upon the white wrist. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if whether it answered to the description of any of their the matter?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have lamp. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the drove away. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Gutenberg-tm License. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall asked. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, taking in every detail of the apartment. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I pictures, libraries, or plate. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge What do you deduce from it?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course unclasping of his long thin hands. at home. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the chance." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." bird I ate is country bred." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important delighted to hear it," he said. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the general public were present, then?" breakfast?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "We have tried and failed." the tragedy. "The doctor?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and furiously. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Ah!" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, thin legs towards the fire. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a all that?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Then I can wait in the next room." him. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul vague figure huddled up in the darkness. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "If so, much may have happened between." "I have a cab outside." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind His smile broadened. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to me. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And I say east," said my patient. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "What are they?" sufficient punishment." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Well." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, fait accompli?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. minor matters until to-morrow." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door coroner's jury." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, official police." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I know where it is." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his true." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are had picked up in the wood. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of direction." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For