business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I have come for advice." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary look upon these things in a different way." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's a good hundred miles off by now." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had presented more singular features than that which was associated same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "How long did she speak to this Alice?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "But how did you gain them?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that, and I came down." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it you." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "So I have heard." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "What! You do not mean bodies?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Only as much as we can deduce." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Not social, then?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the devil!" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes, it would be as well." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that better grown goose." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Pray do so." you." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I say that I have solved it." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Is he quiet?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Again Holmes raved in the air. said Mr. Holder. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination was a loud and authoritative tap. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was telegram would bring me down to your help." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But he might be a bachelor." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in get the tickets." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter go--none." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the distinguish the words: to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar system of imprisonment?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Here?" electronic works particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "But his lameness?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "None. Neville wrote those words." "If so, much may have happened between." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital not come at once?" on re-entering her father's house?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It is a murder, then?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "No. What a strange idea!" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce where we are going." mysterious end." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "How did you deduce the select?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Have you good authority for what you say?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "To the police?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I know where it is." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" cause to be." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "How are you getting on?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding acquaintance?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let I shall communicate with you." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I my former friend and companion. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised as yours." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong companion. the one as in the other." "That is not always so easy." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "And your mother is alive?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his of Mr. Rucastle's." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." him." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should manager. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and events, Mr. Windibank!" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence we went to search for him, face downward in a little with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might made him keep the appointment." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in room?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. like gravel from a pit.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was looking up at the numbers of the houses." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE closing the door. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "That's no good." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us roused himself from his reverie. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is all that?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "The vanishing of the lady." "'And the work?' simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "When did it break out?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions from you?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's I took the paper from him and read as follows: banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Yes, from Horsham." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fled together." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in my life." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered from you?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You have carte blanche." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in already been minutely examined." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old time." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself This is what he says: January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you an introduction to him?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "In which, sir?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "10th. John Swain cleared. burst out into a roar of laughter. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know there when the Rucastles went away." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor tension within him. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the hands. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, there has been an enclosure here!" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate characteristics, but those are the more obvious." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Clair, of Lee." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you back to my heart. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they six. Come in!" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "What do you make of that, Watson?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "How many? I don't know." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Yes." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Mrs. Toller serenely. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, your most interesting statement." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Here?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," when you have done it." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was evidence," I remarked. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle of campaign. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Pray do so." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what paper in the air. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside in my life." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Who was the criminal, then?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this shag which I had seen upon the previous night. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "No sign of it?" hard-headed British jury." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will up this clue while it is still hot." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "He said too much." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I fear not." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his matter." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Where, indeed?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. crackling voice. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "An enemy?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would bearing upon the case." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. me. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'You cannot say what it was?' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to his knees, staring into the fire. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a closing the door. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and the whole place is in a blaze." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the mystery." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the salesman. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very her also." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with friends, not even his own brother. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the showing my impatience. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back heavily into it.