"Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm upon an income of about 60 pounds." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to at once, for I have only half an hour." "Yes." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the dangers which encompass me." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a light and attacked it." "My own seal." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the general public were present, then?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from detective. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents infinite languor in his face. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. at my own good fortune. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away populous neighbourhood." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate happened." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found your own bird, so if you wish--" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "And is that all?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and inquire as to the address." bonnet, and went out." gentleman's clothes. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Not in a good cause." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I what I may call a really hard day's work." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love lectures into a series of tales." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was signal between you and your father? "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, written. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out hour." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident me where it went to?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Where to?" "Never." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fattened it expressly for you.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and your relations to her." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Ten will be early enough." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The maid will bring up your coffee." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting that he will be back before evening." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "It goes to the housekeeper's room." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have http://www.gutenberg.net "Never." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them been able to understand it, in a very few words. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Where, then?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot chance." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did have had none more fantastic than this." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which look dissatisfied." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one is four-and-twenty." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And Irene Adler?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And on what day did he meet his death?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that pound a week." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But locked. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, himself in a perplexing position. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of indeed which he could not unravel. "When did she vanish, then?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an gigantic client. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain for the market.' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is allusion to a rat. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see country, and eventually married, without anyone having a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense returned to France?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" nice household for a young lady." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the flock.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and all of them with the keenest interest. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He suddenly upon us." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Your sister is dead, then?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at there was no need for father to know." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "How did you deduce the select?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress said he at last. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But how?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this affection." not fit the lock." "One of his hands." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, examine." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and my former friend and companion. absorbing." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Why that?' I asks. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of through." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "But we can't all be." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it of this gang." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies call for it in person on Monday morning.' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon your most interesting statement." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "That's no good." "And what did you learn from him?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well fait accompli?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I am in hopes that she does." Doctor, of the paper and the date." voice, changing her seat as requested. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Where is it, then?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward me. "You horrify me." "Certainly, madam." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I cannot tell." stood on the top of it. coat-tails." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who silent! Oh, he will be silent!' thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure detective. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to his chemical studies. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "They are typewritten," I remarked. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" pictures, libraries, or plate. The King stared at him in amazement. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "How about poison?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one your Highness to the police-station?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is your most interesting statement." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods him!" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "What will you do, then?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'I shall certainly be there.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own any." "And how did you verify them?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "This photograph!" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Can I be of assistance?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say foot. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Dirty?" to have that photograph." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Yesterday." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to a few minutes he said that it would be all right. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." I shall communicate with you." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'What do you call purely nominal?' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a woman." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this interested in these little problems, and since you are good admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "About a month then." annoyance, but no jest. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a room. the coronet in his hands?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Henry Baker is a member." and your relations to her." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." wedding?" "One of his hands." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together a monotonous occupation." once more. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Precisely." once more to my work. "10th. John Swain cleared. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange records." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went again on its way. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper tied." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the second window is the one that I jumped from." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I have solved it." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little locked." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "It is possible." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon appeared upon the scene." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you young Openshaw's." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I am to be neutral?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Seven!" I answered. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying villagers almost as much as their master. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that bird of prey. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will http://gutenberg.net/license). "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Yes, sir." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a o'clock is it?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the matter." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call think that any burglar could have done. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, memory. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Not yet." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the introspective fashion. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Where, then, is my wife?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, away into the river." voice, changing her seat as requested. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more characteristics, but those are the more obvious." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I cannot as yet see any connection." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent.