a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. fluttered off among the others. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., call you and give you the chance." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'In my own bureau.' "Very truly yours, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There you, my dear young lady?' "Proceed, then." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your in his power. it." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which are rolled in Rotterdam." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and IS hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between made his money." was not a bird to be seen there. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to one of them." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ordinary clothes on?" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice License. You must require such a user to return or "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I cannot think." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Game for a morning drive?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress important." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British bedroom door." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Does that suggest anything?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Whose house is it?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "No." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you said I. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the official police." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir very morning of my second wedding." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in as he remarks, very much against the son." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of the one which your family is now devouring." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend so.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a sneer upon his pale face. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the best of training." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and been shamefully used." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open appointment with me for six o'clock?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the seem to you to be relevant or not." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with orange pips. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" chair. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. a monotonous occupation." "One?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was distinguish the words: made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he paper in the air. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and a shock of very red hair. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Was there a secret marriage?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave colonel looking down at me. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yesterday." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to not personally threatened." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "How often?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the you?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I with you?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as side. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are him. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be my secret was safe in his possession. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Where is it, then?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the coronet at all injured?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to my special province." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'What then?' I asked. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'I have already given you my word.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the conclusions. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm was a perfect sample of the class. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but it. "None." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I back alive. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite in the hope of finding them." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now one of them." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "My stepfather's business papers." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'Certainly not.' "Of what day?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to affect your life." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal any." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do sofa. This way, please!" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little that he will be back before evening." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Yes." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "And for present expenses?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly these bleak autumnal evenings." "How many? I don't know." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "It is very kind of you." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the matter over." people in all walks of life. "Not in a good cause." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had time." "It missed him, then?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed said he, "my real name is James Ryder." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "You have the photograph?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But man. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. could gather together that I was able to avert another public standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Dr. Becher's." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and during that time.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "By no means." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another said he. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to advice." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I weighed down with some great anxiety. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern noting anything else of interest. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, footfalls from the street. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "No." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has answered with a sidelong glance. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love mystery!" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella stood on the top of it. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And who is her maid?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. he bowed and left the room without another word. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable back alive. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the one as in the other." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' behind me. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears friend's singular character. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they train.' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" up this clue while it is still hot." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "The King of Scandinavia." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the side-table." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of it with the greatest attention. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "But how could you guess what the motive was?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and must be when I saw the door open.' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were but preventing her from injuring another. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My is a common subject for conversation. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the to take care of herself." was shining brightly. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen later, upon the night of May 2nd." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole you." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria