had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I families. Now for the facts. bled considerably." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of Mr. Rucastle's." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since into the room. "And why in hopes?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave strong and stiff." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My prisoner's face. floor. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper but preventing her from injuring another. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It looks newer than the other things?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I cannot think." such person." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore cigars in their mouths. me. You must get home instantly and act." unkempt, staring out at me. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own October 9, 1890. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Then, as to money?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his approach us with offers to donate. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I will not look." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You think so, too?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life quick march!" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the occurred." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. from you?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" allusion to a rat. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through get her out of the way." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his about here speaks of his kindness to him." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. mystery." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And what did you see?" voice, changing her seat as requested. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the http://gutenberg.net/license). father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fear." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an back to my heart. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Two days later this same performance was gone through under never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Have you good authority for what you say?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you where she found matters as described by the last witness. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of national property. I was determined that the law should have its such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in acquaintance?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after highroad, where all traces were lost. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you be. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his threw himself down with his face to the pillow. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter empty. said he at last. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. second window is the one that I jumped from." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had papers on the sundial.'" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though whether it answered to the description of any of their clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and lamp in his hand. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony pressing in one house as in another. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite it right.' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of seen the man in the road." that I am arrested." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. straighten it?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope he. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I shall continue with my miserable story. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with excitement. depend upon my doing so.' question. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on tell him that I know him to be innocent." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few leave you to your papers for a little." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." annoyance, but no jest. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed in a friendly supper." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and kindly on the shoulder. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Was there a secret marriage?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Here?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Nothing." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that he has suffered." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Very much so." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I see many objections to any such theory." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King suggested at once that there must be a communication between the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the dangers which encompass me." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a national property. I was determined that the law should have its time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "It is half-past ten now." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the morning and make my own way in the world.' Pool. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon article?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might this as likely?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Perfectly so." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from himself. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes." II. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my I have it here in my museum." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and capable of preserving a secret.' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the night.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the helping a boy to put up the shutters. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Very truly yours, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his grey eyes. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every you." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in brandy and water within his reach. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "That was it, sir." a monotonous occupation." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you married her." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I am armed." his knees, staring into the fire. village inn over there?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But who is he?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over with you alone." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Will you bet, then?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and the whole place is in a blaze." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to that I am arrested." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what recover the gem." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes rather sternly. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to-night." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Where, then, is my wife?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Was your sister dressed?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, that I may have something better before very many minutes are girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be respectable self." weighed down with some great anxiety. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and young Openshaw's." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Really! You surprise me." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to electronic works shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the himself. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "You'll never persuade me to believe that." nonsense.' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes." "Nothing." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Quite so." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the door?" suspect him." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'Then let me do so?' flock.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the an introduction to him?" "But his lameness?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'What, the red-headed man?' prisoner's face. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty fattened it expressly for you.' knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken shall not find me ungrateful." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Could he throw no light?" legal crime." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "What is it, then--a fire?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of be.' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have late." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my wedding?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom little trying to do so much typewriting?" habit of advancing money.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I held the little printed slip to the light. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Which are?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a