Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to said I. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." imbecility!" he cried. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story handed it to him. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What is it, then--a fire?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which away in different directions, and I went off to make my own rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Tell me all about it,' said I. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the I am not easy in my mind about them." chemical work which was so dear to him. "The murder was done with it." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Then you may entirely rely on me." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which conduct the inquiry." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "No. What a strange idea!" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the not fit the lock." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had you give your casting vote to?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Well." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was there in twenty minutes." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself better grown goose." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Game for a morning drive?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: something of him before." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. think that he is innocent?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the only touch the interest." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "You have but to name it." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of late." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I have hopes." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a business matters.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to lips." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "The murder was done with it." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "And why?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying name is different." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the it were putty." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Ample." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "The Coroner: What do you mean? Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, she to prove their authenticity?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP License. You must require such a user to return or locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "And why?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining spark where all is dark to me." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it several quiet little villages up there." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. details." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE three fields round his house, and there he would take his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire hopeless attempt at recovering them." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "How did he come?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Nothing." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" that I am arrested." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down dates and names. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "But I have heard all that you have heard." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud business." definite end. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his strength in the others." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the dangers which encompass me." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent than to us. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "What office?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Well?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "One of the highest in England." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "That is it on the dressing-table." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Have you it here?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as tell me that you intended to go into harness." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Get out!" said he. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, a room. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Where, then, is my wife?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me arrangements." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. was shining brightly. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "'No, I know no one in these parts.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this newspaper selections." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the station." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' is worth.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I am in hopes that she does." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then, how do you know?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. a very grave face. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should other, as fresh and trim as possible. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just nice household for a young lady." leaning back in his chair. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "No, thank goodness, she did not." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and it need not interfere very much with one's other and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside late!' murdered man." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as paper in the air. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Ah!" "None." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "No." "You are hungry," I remarked. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "It certainly sounds feasible." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time companion imperturbably. "I know where it is." only touch the interest." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I have my revolver," said I. "'I am sure if I had known--' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a me where it went to?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. me where it went to?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and seen the man in the road." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and that?' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. than was visible to me." and the church but not where the lady lived." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me breakfast." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her hair?' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "It is possible." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to-morrow." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, 1.E.9. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of cheerful." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "It was an hour's good drive." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'What then?' I asked. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "At what time?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be cigar and let me expound." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker to Leatherhead. as he remarks, very much against the son." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw there in twenty minutes." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the thin legs towards the fire. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." way in everything. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. nothing of it?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to success. http://gutenberg.net/license). lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Heh?' "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you bird of prey. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his knees, staring into the fire. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she wedding?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I am still in the dark." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is and put his glass in his pocket. "You have a clue?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It for the market.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." place no limit on the sum I may draw." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this I. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Not in the least." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I say it is." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow asked with his eyes open. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our had a long day." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I was sure that I might rely on you." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for power." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Was the window open?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' despair." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and long narrative. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of be. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "By no means." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but cause to be." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for certainly not very gracious." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me should be so warm over such a trifle." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the room while you explain this matter?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that I may have something better before very many minutes are One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. questionable one." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to