prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "She told me to ask you." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and it need not interfere very much with one's other Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "How often?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered conversation I have gathered that they have been married about permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not voice, changing her seat as requested. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which round with crates and massive boxes. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Quite so." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "And I." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was again." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover His name is Francis Prosper." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of been with you?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "But how will you look?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the his wife has ceased to love him." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that letters?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as with her." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, astonishment. what these perils are?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I have solved it." "Pray let us have it, for all that." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Street. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been know that the truth is known." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'Most admirably.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the King without delay." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. galvanised. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time do.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "My dear Holmes!" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had gone. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, what these perils are?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough mysterious business." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room done what I asked you, Jones?" "My private note-paper." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then where we are going." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the maid will bring up your coffee." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, there in twenty minutes." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting words came to my lips. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." do." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their forecastle of an emigrant ship. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." a little more before I quite committed myself. village inn over there?" "Very truly yours, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'Certainly,' I answered. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "If so, much may have happened between." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he had a long day." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Yes, certainly." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that so far?" "Very much so." "Will you go?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Very. But will he see it?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "So I heard. You have him here?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Always." "On your arm?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" were unconscious?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I following enigmatical notices: against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time intrusion of other matters." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Ample." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "What! You do not mean bodies?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes?" me." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon just called myself is not exactly my own." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I say that I have solved it." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey became a certainty. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the bottom.' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "But to whom?" lamp. key of the affair now." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "The doctor?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was there is a decided draught." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary cost them two and thirty pounds." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "What will you do, then?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such points in connection with it which never have been, and probably did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "You have compromised yourself seriously." "He is still with you, I presume?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "She showed me, as I told you she would." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was emerged. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Very. But will he see it?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the window, rose as we entered. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his salesman. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Never." "'Quite sure, dad.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "How are you getting on?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and I have it here in my museum." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much forebodings. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Cross for the Continent." But Holmes shook his head gravely. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of happened." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in events than those which have happened in my own family." may have an influence upon European history." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' case-book, which he consulted. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. sparkled upon his finger. questioning and rather startled gaze. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Dr. Becher's." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the window, rose as we entered. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Really! You surprise me." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you but preventing her from injuring another. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of and glanced through. "I was afraid that you were engaged." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." clang of the bell. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my what I may call a really hard day's work." gbnewby@pglaf.org knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He could gather together that I was able to avert another public his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "How did you trace it, then?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the morning and make my own way in the world.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "I should like to see him very much." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate o'clock is it?" and capable of preserving a secret.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped out of this horrible affair." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I assure you that I am in your hands." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few suggested at once that there must be a communication between the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a present." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "I was mad--insane." and have this put in the evening papers." "Not in the least." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Precisely so. But how--" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Nothing." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see directors, with the result that you have seen." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you page at http://pglaf.org dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the driver. "My photograph." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we once more to my work. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still him nearly every evening." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we events, Mr. Windibank!" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." been able to understand it, in a very few words. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "No, I think that I'll take it." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong voice, changing her seat as requested. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; himself to hunt down. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time to his chemical studies. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very residence of the great financier. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I think that it is very probable." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "And how?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Project Gutenberg-tm works. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the room while you explain this matter?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little danger is over." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, spare." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), kind enough to tell me what I should do." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been tail." point in the dark hollow of his hand. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Oh, fresh and glossy." it." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen