once more. companion. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped your most interesting statement." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Leadenhall Street--and--" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I purpose equally well?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it quite distinctive." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Witness: Nothing definite. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Holmes' thin, eager face. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Do you know him?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind other lovers by making love himself." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to tell." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our night.' said he. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond hour?' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, might help us?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic was already answered. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to call you and give you the chance." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. investigation." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have gbnewby@pglaf.org ago." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Yes, sir.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my man. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Holmes. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears train.' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission closely." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very question you as to those details which seem to me to be most sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Certainly." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I nodded to show that I had heard. your Highness to the police-station?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a even so self-evident a thing as that." "What can you not understand?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain hand, madam?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "10th. John Swain cleared. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire pressing in one house as in another. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly one else, I think." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "And why?" "And how did he make his money?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a important." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "What can it mean?" I gasped. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the if only as a check to my own memory." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Yes, all." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no unkempt, staring out at me. light and attacked it." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle unclasping of his long thin hands. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill cause to be." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I am in hopes that she does." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said comes from the middle window." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way were new raised from a basin. "Pray do so." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a lectures into a series of tales." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the photograph?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Yes, the wine-cellar." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Pray continue your narrative." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." throat." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., approach us with offers to donate. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and note?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which present." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. there in twenty minutes." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact which should have the effect of calling the attention of the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up outbreak?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of the efforts of the United States government and of the better widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather of Mr. Rucastle's." drove away. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very signal between you and your father? "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain mystery." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no someone who had been in Australia." would then never go into court at all." individual and becomes the badge of a society." child?' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "When did she vanish, then?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Pray continue your narrative." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to comes from the middle window." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon some terrible trap for her." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Where could I find him?' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, hands. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his vault. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was you." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "It was an hour's good drive." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another on re-entering her father's house?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "No bad?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Do you know him?" lectures into a series of tales." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Witness: I must still refuse. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Entirely." asked. are, I think, all that we need." "What of the rat, then?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Tell me all about it,' said I. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "And leave your case unfinished?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." results." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Yes." Cross for the Continent." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the stable lane now." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "The rest you will leave in our hands." said he at last. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Well, but China?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring hurried by. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Dirty?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." plantation.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "No good news?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes, only one." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. foresight and the moral retrogression?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would people don't know." the salesman. "What do you mean?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "He is still with you, I presume?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the do you make of it all?" paper in the air. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall such person." "Your French gold?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how her also." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Very. But will he see it?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I cannot think." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Your French gold?" is," said he presently: up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "One?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not careless servant girl?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow have got?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously comes from the middle window." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'Yes, I promise.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my