been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I think that I had better go, Holmes." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings floor. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, out." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of a good hundred miles off by now." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Yes." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to them present such singular features as the strange train of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes, I have one waiting." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "And the cigar-holder?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Pray do so." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass said he. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I think it very unlikely." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when union?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a do.' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to-night?" I asked. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "None." that you can jump it.' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Then the page we have seen--" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned his forehead." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "You have a clue?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which telegram would bring me down to your help." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that joking. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of mystery." developed." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and unprofitable." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "By no means." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And what did you see?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may respectable self." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Yes." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "To the police?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Pool. "Perhaps I have." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite business?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. again on its way. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, more terrible than the truth. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble presented more singular features than that which was associated Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the house with me." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And now?" I asked. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I might have a private word with us. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the room while you explain this matter?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Of Friday, June 19th." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Eh? What was that?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "What I expected to see." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and good for you to do.' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, south, for the country is more deserted there." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be drawing your inferences." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. all-comprehensive glances. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and golden eyeglasses. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You horrify me!" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not you." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you may never be exposed to such a temptation." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out sparkled upon his finger. of." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few bird of prey. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you understand?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was where she found matters as described by the last witness. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'A dozen yards or so.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "That is not always so easy." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" instituted." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous without success. At last the little money which I had saved began season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in been with you?" again, where I was soon asleep. "Absolutely?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own works. See paragraph 1.E below. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or dramatic, in fact." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness signal between you and your father? through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "But I have heard all that you have heard." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house she used." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "That is possible." hands. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, returned to France?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than anything to a woman, for she would have her way." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the this as likely?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I will not look." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I guessed as much." "I know where it is." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "It is half-past ten now." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I quick march!" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled since then to throw any light upon what became of him." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age conduct the inquiry." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the morning and make my own way in the world.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had closing the door. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What are they?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "But what is it you wish?" "Nothing?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you will not take me long to tell. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before became a certainty. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." strong and stiff." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "But I am all in the dark." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Why, what do you mean?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and other means.' already referred to. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at residence of the great financier. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "My dear Holmes!" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Yes?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a I leave." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "That was it, sir." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "The landlord of the Alpha." "What will you do, then?" You want to know what became of those geese?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the with you?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'It is locked up,' I answered. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I cannot tell." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I as noiselessly as she had come. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Of Friday, June 19th." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Yes." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed your billet.' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. next day. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the coronet in his hand?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the that there was nothing in it, after all." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the acquaintance?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "The vanishing of the lady." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "And you don't know his address?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important 1.E.9. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a had formerly been in part my own. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but might help us?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'What then?' I asked. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he morning." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, meant." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "If so, much may have happened between." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You have carte blanche." enough to aid us in our search." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, furiously. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and prosperity to your house. Good-night." me have 200 pounds?' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I narrative." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face depend upon your compliance." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position it were putty." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: undoubtedly my uncle's." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped.