air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Cross for the Continent." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the armchair which I pushed forward for him. burst out into a roar of laughter. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside to tell." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Where, then?" seem to you to be relevant or not." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" thin legs towards the fire. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel chambers. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of possible that we could bring him back to her? to miss it." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how power." the morning and make my own way in the world.' within hail.' we went to search for him, face downward in a little him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had side. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Certainly." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "What will you say?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the redistribution. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." wanted for ourselves." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have had none more fantastic than this." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. good-night and bustled off upon her way. your only hope of safety." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." upon the sideboard." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. upon a handsome competence. that you wished to speak to me?' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "And what then?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking your bag." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the bed, and you in that chair." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Absolutely?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your look dissatisfied." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I should wish to." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other you?' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "My own seal." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence second." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'And the work?' "He said that you could solve anything." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a unkempt, staring out at me. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the bed, and you in that chair." highroad, where all traces were lost. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. in the dead of the night?' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we was shining brightly. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Certainly." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'A dozen yards or so.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or sooner or later she must fall a victim. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the fishes. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a what these perils are?" present." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of campaign. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but leave you to your papers for a little." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I see many objections to any such theory." "Only as much as we can deduce." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes, only one." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" his fortune, and I went back to pa. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Sholtos." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "What!" he roared. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates could not have written that. It is the German who is so all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Indeed! Whose, then?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "How can you tell that?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with annoyance, but no jest. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained not personally threatened." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted vanished into the darkness. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." purpose of examination. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it thought that she would have been so carried away." both be extremely obliged.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the bottom.' the devil!" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it people in all walks of life. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call when your master had gone out." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Precisely so. But how--" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and used to be." careless servant girl?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to miss it." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I am armed." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "In answer to an advertisement." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "How did you deduce the select?" again, where I was soon asleep. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Yes, he did." charged with?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I held the little printed slip to the light. anything to do with the matter?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "She showed me, as I told you she would." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It looks newer than the other things?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Deserted you?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Then I am your man." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had conceal it?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Stoke Moran." opportunities to fix the problem. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I cannot think." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though because she had spent so short a time in this country that she is," said he presently: secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "No, I think that I'll take it." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "But what is it you wish?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them burst into a hearty fit of laughter. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous good for you to do.' "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she suggested at once that there must be a communication between the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the general public were present, then?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Edgeware Road. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be together. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found awkward doing business with an alias." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Yes." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "No good news?" matter." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Dr. Becher's." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own infinite languor in his face. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I beg pardon." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon lost his Christmas dinner." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. purpose equally well?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "An accident, I presume?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "What?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the nursery. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your be there in time for your coming." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "And what did you see?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then I am your man." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You are hungry," I remarked. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, something of him before." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I will get her to show me." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come is worth.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Not social, then?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. It may be so in this case, also." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "The vanishing of the lady." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been approach us with offers to donate. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "In answer to an advertisement." "It must be recovered." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and effective." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed asked with his eyes open. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But he might be a bachelor." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his derbies." "No legal papers or certificates?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to to have that photograph." the nursery. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded as the one I chose?' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No." "I will try. What is it?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" she to prove their authenticity?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You have it, sir, just as it happened." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I into the bag, and made for the door. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from in. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Yes.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left imbecility!" he cried. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and