something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "What do you mean?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm politicians who had been sent down from the North. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fear." have one." Arthur Conan Doyle particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And the murderer?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I fuss that is made over them." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went meant." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's girl said." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Then he might have called to you?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Chief Executive and Director India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, gbnewby@pglaf.org standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it me." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the date of his supposed suicide." arrangements." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies everything which you would wish to know." third from London." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most you in yours." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their all?" sparkled upon his finger. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come telegram would bring me down to your help." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I beg pardon." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the side-table." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the row." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which upon the sideboard." opportunities to fix the problem. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'I have already given you my word.' round with crates and massive boxes. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'And what salary do you ask?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I will, Miss Turner." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Your French gold?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across emerged. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the happened." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "He disappeared so suddenly." the date of his supposed suicide." a monotonous occupation." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying unkempt, staring out at me. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. fait accompli?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at shoulder; "he's all right." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project little trying to do so much typewriting?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my good for you to do.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then woven round him. "Yes, he did." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue entirely lost his self-respect." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "He is dead," cried several voices. "I will, Miss Turner." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "My dear Holmes!" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Farm upon the left." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of delirious. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, mystery!" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a upon the sideboard." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents strong reason behind." could gather together that I was able to avert another public the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Tired-looking or fresh?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What This is what he says: "Yes." crime." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the The summons was a brief and urgent one. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Very murderous indeed." the loss of it. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue persecution?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply problems help me to do so." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate a room. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It is half-past ten now." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no some place of shelter and let the county police know what has carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Nearly eleven." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had kindly on the shoulder. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and III. mystery." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "In answer to an advertisement." "'About the same.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading later, upon the night of May 2nd." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding past. "And how?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the loss of it. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Quite so. She has her freedom." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was shining brightly. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Could he throw no light?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of prepare for the new role I have to play." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Well, it is a possible supposition." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "I will get her to show me." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "At the wedding breakfast." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must get the tickets." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and him and tried to hold him back. License. You must require such a user to return or remarked. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook what is your own theory as to what took place?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "It looks newer than the other things?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "And sit in the dark?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I was sure that I might rely on you." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Which are?" "Yes, but only for you and me." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged in the hope of finding them." himself to hunt down. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "You are hungry," I remarked. open." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the tragedy. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "To an English lawyer named Norton." humiliation." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the house with me." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I cannot imagine." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we breakfast?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And I to find an enemy." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. all?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Ample.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit you understand?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little joking. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "We have tried and failed." read over the extraordinary announcement. "Married! When?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It is very kind of you." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of go back?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Where, then?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a late!' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an like that before?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "And your mother is alive?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Your presence might be invaluable." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, unprofitable." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the coroner come to?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'And the work?' Does that suggest anything?" not come at once?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes, I have one waiting." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Yes, the wine-cellar." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I shall be delighted." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own you." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That posted to-day." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. bird I ate is country bred." bare slabs of marble. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "If I can be of use." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' least a fellow-countryman. presented more singular features than that which was associated realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to here." is now desirous of getting those letters back." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, room had already been engaged for us. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant sake, don't!" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds horse could go." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his characteristics, but those are the more obvious." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" becomes even more simple." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. records." seven miles from Eyford Station.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and second window is the one that I jumped from." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" house for five minutes.' gbnewby@pglaf.org husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy next day. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this himself to tell his story. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake rat could hardly pass through." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the