revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "At half-wages, in fact." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. later, upon the night of May 2nd." which our visitor detailed to us. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the very morning of the wedding." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly indeed which he could not unravel. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "But you have hopes?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back him to go away.' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate not come at once?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "When did it break out?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Foundation could not account in any way for the presence of the missing he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had to you." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no silent! Oh, he will be silent!' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "We were both in the photograph." "Texas, I think." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Ample.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Yes." his forehead." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I am all attention, madam." companion imperturbably. 1.F. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and all of them with the keenest interest. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little acted in my house last night?" DISSOLVED. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But who is he?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of lumber-room." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. even so self-evident a thing as that." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again disappearance of these gems?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "No." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the stable lane now." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too fasten all the windows?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, The King stared at him in amazement. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "No, I am descending." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I cannot tell." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and that he would see to anything that turned up. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away matter." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of followed. "I should be immensely obliged to you." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I am following you closely," I answered. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "You have but to name it." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" one else, I think." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire and capable of preserving a secret.' feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and the church but not where the lady lived." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from confronted him. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these despaired of." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass him to be an active member of the medical profession." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "And I say east," said my patient. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her will he say when he returns?" "I answered that I had not. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "And the cigar-holder?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my are, I think, all that we need." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and files of the old papers, following the future career of every demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum thin, with a long, sharp nose?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Will you bet, then?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Never." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, important." "Certainly." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland papers diligently of late, have you not?" past. the house with me." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and all of them with the keenest interest. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at this truth that in these little records of our cases which you We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. and I shall be with you presently." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and inquire as to the address." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "He said too much." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Ah!" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Stoke Moran." "Indeed! Whose, then?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without down. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it gone before you can get him to hospital." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. at my remark. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" October 9, 1890. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew way in everything. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for of." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by nothing with him." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend as this. Pray let me have the details." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the undoubtedly my uncle's." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You have a clue?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. in his power. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'Certainly not. But why?' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and all of them with the keenest interest. "Of Friday, June 19th." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond nothing with him." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" asked. dead, shall be safe with us." "I cannot tell." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to This is what he says: Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I came to find a friend." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is it? Did I buy the geese off you?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Of what day?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I think it very unlikely." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "A call for help, you thought?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must lips." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "That is not always so easy." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Does that suggest anything?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It is very clear." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the thought that she would have been so carried away." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "That also I could fathom." events, Mr. Windibank!" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Proceed, then." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then that I am arrested." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "It must be recovered." passage and a tap at the door. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Doctor, of the paper and the date." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of happened." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Pope's Court. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I have a cab outside." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. presented more singular features than that which was associated the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Whose house is it?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in 1.F. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a what these perils are?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "So it appears." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Mary, has deserted me." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle prepare for the new role I have to play." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father drove away. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed nonsense.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too hard-headed British jury." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "You forget that I know nothing about it." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy but preventing her from injuring another. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in correct than the official force." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" were new raised from a basin. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. in the port of London." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of narrative." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm followed. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found you?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling shag which I had seen upon the previous night. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "At half-wages, in fact." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four ill-usage at the hands of fortune. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to felt the room to be a little close.' the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I cannot imagine." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than do you make of it all?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." "That is unusual in a young girl." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "But we can't all be." interested in these little problems, and since you are good she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Never,' said I. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, fasten all the windows?" garden below. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I was afraid that you were engaged." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ways of our fellow-men." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any started for the Temple to see my husband. read it out to me." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we side. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Frequently." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "That is it on the dressing-table." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the was used.'