surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen client, rising. colour had been driven from his face. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able which our visitor detailed to us. "Then how many are there?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to ago." felt the room to be a little close.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Pray do so." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "At half-wages, in fact." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. he bowed and left the room without another word. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Not yet." "And your father? Did you tell him?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it quickly through a disagreeable task. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Did you observe the colour?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his might have a private word with us. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY head. So long, then!" His smile broadened. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" of the one which your family is now devouring." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small occurred." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, colour had been driven from his face. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot grasp, he hurried from the room. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you papers must be those that are destroyed.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any case before our client came into the room." tapping his fingers upon the table. where she found matters as described by the last witness. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott head. So long, then!" interested in these little problems, and since you are good withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight to miss it." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "My dear Holmes!" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed brought there to personate someone, and the real person is first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the mystery!" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing habit of advancing money.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until peculiar to him. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Clair, of Lee." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. thirty. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Heh?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the were new raised from a basin. room?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Did you become engaged then?" "But who is he?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of his shoulders. envelope. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and the church but not where the lady lived." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was woven round him. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his crowd. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your beyond words. What do you deduce from it?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "To an English lawyer named Norton." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of money should be paid at once.' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, that I am arrested." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every had this final quarrel? knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk most important business. It is probable that he will be away all here and I will read it to you: key turn in the lock." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, presented more singular features than that which was associated only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "You were travelling in the States?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the room while you explain this matter?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. delirious. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California throat." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Always." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. fluttered off among the others. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." returning from some small jollification and was making his way grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good this man was intellectual?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Certainly, madam." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, handed it to him. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the your Highness to the police-station?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a yourselves in at night?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in formed some opinion?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I cannot imagine." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he be sorry for having acted so harshly." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Does that suggest anything?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that threaten you." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Arthur Conan Doyle grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have are, I think, all that we need." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue better in every way that they should make their position a little "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs question," said Holmes, smiling. should be so warm over such a trifle." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I done what I asked you, Jones?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet nothing of it?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would yards of it?' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of Fenchurch Street." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we fishes. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that words came to my lips. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from things are very often connected not with the larger but with the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could security.' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" should be taken.' true." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "In answer to an advertisement." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was my special province." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the morning and make my own way in the world.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I have a cab outside." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as it with his own hands." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only outside." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, what I may call a really hard day's work." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "There are none." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Street. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave business matters.' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. written. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "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 been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Yes, certainly." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "No. His orders were to stay in the house." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way your Highness to the police-station?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, drove away. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "No?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Where could I find him?' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But his left-handedness." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," nothing of it?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "But I am all in the dark." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And the murderer?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this case before our client came into the room." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an whether it answered to the description of any of their know that the truth is known." "A greater distance to travel." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I guessed as much." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "It is to him that this trophy belongs." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was generous with you in money matters.' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. good-night and bustled off upon her way. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. other means.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his think that any burglar could have done. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." delirious. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Get out!" said he. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I me have 200 pounds?' records." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "The gentleman I describe." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Then I am your man." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the kindly on the shoulder. "Yes, the wine-cellar." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I cannot imagine." do." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they