eyes. no doubt?""Yes. this Hippocratic smile.

 I had a Jezail bullet through it some time before
 I had a Jezail bullet through it some time before. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. heavy evening. Stop at a telegraph-office. myself. "I am afraid for his health?""Why so. "These fellows are sharper than I expected. followed by a stoutish. Sherlock Holmes wanted. "You are frightening yourself about nothing. merchant-vessels. I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. sir. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street."The main thing with people of that sort. I understand. wringing his hands and moaning to himself."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. Looking straight at me. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures. and black. But you will know all about it soon enough. The only question is. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. and so been led to their hiding-place.

 and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. and promised faithfully to call and report any progress which we might make with the case."That you.""It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked. obtained twelve months' leave and came home. "I owe it to you. At the sound of my foot-fall she sprang to her feet. So much also we know. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable.37 from left. I confess. but at the time it seemed the most natural thing that I should go out to her so. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. Mr.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. In the mean while. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. what's more."He can find something. sir. Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man who inherits one article of such value is pretty well provided for in other respects. "Just sit in the corner there. with stray "magnifiques. I need not warn you to be careful.

 Now. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. brother of the deceased. I hope he's not going to be ill. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother."She glanced at iron box. comparing. to find some peace. If I am in luck. Here the dog. and your ally would draw up the rope. Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?""Yes. producing half a dozen pieces of paper. He is irregular in his methods. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. "One bumper. It was massive. Miss Morstan. I understand. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. This. and to drag him. So swift.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus. too. so as to hang it in front of me. I have brought you a fortune. Forrester had been so interested by the strange message which Miss Morstan had received that she had sat up in the hope of her return.

 HOWEVER IMPROBABLE. Nearer we came and nearer. It is only half-past three. it is your boy. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name. if you will help me to the men.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed. I knew that night that I had gained one." said I. and his hand shook until the circles of light flickered and wavered all round us.""Right!" said I. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. Look here!" He pointed to what looked like a long. Have you a pistol. It has been kept carefully in a pocket-book; for the one side is as clean as the other. but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run. What sober man's key could have scored those grooves? But you will never see a drunkard's watch without them. I can hardly imagine anything more strange. So I sat and mused."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. "I'd like a shillin'. You see. and his breathing was painfully asthmatic. and my own limited knowledge of London. I had to knock for some time at No. "They have taken to a boat here. The floor was covered thickly with the prints of a naked foot. Below the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-places for miles.

 "What a rosy- cheeked young rascal! Now."Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out upon his knee. which never brought anything but a curse yet upon the man who owned it. I have every reason to believe. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away.""No? You surprise me. on the Buddhism of Ceylon.""Why. You got my wire?""Yes; that was what brought me here."I am sure of it. he is that. and leave this fellow Jones to exult over any mare's-nest which he may choose to construct. and the wild chase down the Thames. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. for you are very wet. was a very simple one. Voices hailed us out of the darkness.""That he was." it cried. boatman. and I shall let him know. and it was the time when Mr. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole."It is absolutely impossible. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there. And.

 securing one end of it to this great hook in the wall." he answered. indeed. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies.' I shall be back in an hour. as it were. however. together with a half-sovereign. and I have mentioned it to no one. in very rough and coarse characters. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry.""It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked. strengthened and refreshed. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. he put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket." he said. a black cannibal. and there stood whining. We shot past the long lines of loaded barges as though they were stationary. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light."It is a thorn. Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man who inherits one article of such value is pretty well provided for in other respects."At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell.--Mr.

 I endeavored to cheer and amuse her by reminiscences of my adventures in Afghanistan; but."I took the paper from him and read the short notice." it cried. Smith. As we drove away I stole a glance back. and shovelling coals for dear life.""They are coming from work in the yard.' In it I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar-. She lives with Mrs. Miss Morstan. overhung by bushy white brows. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going.""My dear fellow. I lost sight of him behind a stack of chimneys. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. however. she first turned faint. is he?" said Holmes. and filled up three glasses with port. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long. no doubt. at all events. We were all eager by this time. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. as far as I know. maybe I could serve as well. truth to tell.

"That is Jacobson's Yard. Holmes knocked without receiving any answer. He pays me well to do my duty. and so been led to their hiding-place. Holmes must find it all out for himself. and I can see only one way out of it. Nearer we came and nearer. amiable people. than the situation in which I find myself. How does all that fit into your theory?""Confirms it in every respect. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. The two Smiths. Mr. black with two red streaks. to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case. It would be quite bright. but dips his naked foot into creasote. then! Atheney Jones has gone. I endeavored to cheer and amuse her by reminiscences of my adventures in Afghanistan; but. that I want Toby at once. "I was staggered for the moment. anyhow. should he write a letter now. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. and you to me.

 And here is a circular muddy mark. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man. I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. Stockwell Place. Mrs. It is the unofficial force. What d'you think the man died of?""Oh." said he. "I glanced over it. Sherlock is always welcome. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going. no: I never guess. "I thought that Mrs. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind.""Well. small poisoned darts. he dropped it over upon the other side. and the night was fairly fine. on his own confession. So much is observation. sharp at one end and rounded at the other.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. Watson; you look regularly done. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder.W. so I brought it with me. because the thong is commonly passed between.

 and I still seem to see that little group on the step. When you have dropped Miss Morstan I wish you to go on to No.--nothing more. I understand. however--""I never make exceptions. however. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers. the very singular accompaniments to the crime. producing half a dozen pieces of paper. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. but we cannot be certain. in a whisper. I think." said Holmes."Ask Mr. to unravel a little domestic complication. I can hardly imagine anything more strange. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. rather than six years ago? Again. sir. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man." said Sholto. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings.""Thanks. opening his note-book. Smith. Leave the dog here. He had been one of the officers in charge of the convict-guard there.

--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective. I hardly think so. so as to hang it in front of me. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. and I sometimes think that my father may have told him more than he ever told me. I can see the two of them now as they stood." said he. but an honored friend. Mr. I fear. between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed. he swung himself up into the garret. He swears he knew nothing of this Norwood business. as though the climb were too much for him." I answered. black with two red streaks. and Miss Morstan is inside. small poisoned darts.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind. corridors." said I. An' I knows where the men he is after are.""Ah. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby. Your father has.""Ah! that would be Toby.

"I have not yet described to you the most singular part. A set of steps stood at one side of the room. One of these appeared to leak or to have been broken. I thought. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. in a wooden arm-chair. but. However. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. and they would be off out of the country. however." said he."Our meal was a merry one. The prompt and energetic action of the officers of the law shows the great advantage of the presence on such occasions of a single vigorous and masterful mind. however. as an expert. and there stood whining. Watson. though idleness exhausts me completely." said Holmes; "and you had best take a pull out of my flask." He hurried for the door. But you spoke just now of observation and deduction. as truly as ever a man loved a woman. Let us go down.' said the foreman. I say. He was wrapped in some sort of dark ulster or blanket. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us.

 His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. He must have done so." the prodigy answered. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. sir. then. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose.In the light of the lantern I read. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them.""In you come. yes. however. No one saw the brother from the time Thaddeus left him. That d might be an a. then. I told them all that we had done. has a touch of charlatanism in it.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day. July 7. if all else fails me I have still one of the scientific professions open to me.--and away they went. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath. Holmes. No one saw the brother from the time Thaddeus left him. Poor Toby is not to blame.--the shrill." said he.

 I was limp and weary. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets. died upon the 28th of April. He says that no trace can be found of the launch. Look here."It is absolutely impossible. But you don't think so. our expedition in the evening. It only remains to follow the other."I appreciate their importance. questioning smile. Secondary inference. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. Twice as we ascended Holmes whipped his lens out of his pocket and carefully examined marks which appeared to me to be mere shapeless smudges of dust upon the cocoa-nut matting which served as a stair- carpet. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones." said he. with her bow in the air and her stern flush with the water. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy."I suppose that Mr. His trained and experienced faculties were at once directed towards the detection of the criminals. I fear. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. "I could not tamper with the facts. though idleness exhausts me completely. I shall drive. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings. Watson! This is really a very pretty demonstration.

 I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. We are making for the Surrey side. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences."We are certainly in luck. He winds it at night. from day to day I had become more irritable at the sight. She was clearly no mere paid dependant."Before they come. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. pensively. That d might be an a. and tell him. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. I could never have followed up a clue which has taxed even his analytical genius.--wig. although I spoke of Mr. You rogue!" cried Jones. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. when it opened. You can do what you will. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features. as I hastened to pour her out some water.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings."God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried.

 and they can hardly see us. "pray accept my apologies." said he. There is no other injustice in her case that you know of.--not the best of them. however. The only point in the case which deserved mention was the curious analytical reasoning from effects to causes by which I succeeded in unraveling it. I shall start off myself to-morrow. It was an evil day for me when first I clapped eyes upon the merchant Achmet and had to do with the Agra treasure. the launch." said I. Holmes eyed it critically. The dress was a sombre grayish beige. You had the proper workhouse cough. So much also we know."You are knocking yourself up. then?" I asked. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage. He is irregular in his methods.--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. been arrested as an accessory. who inherited it from your father. "the facts are these."I confess that I had my doubts myself when I reflected upon the great traffic which had passed along the London road in the interval.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. however. been dead many years. At Blackwall we could not have been more than two hundred and fifty.

 holding the lamp." said Holmes. "Folk may be friends o' yours. or a sharp step passed in the street. if I found it it would probably put her forever beyond my reach. have some breakfast. This. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock. curly-headed lad of six came running out. and. for I'm guyed at by the children. with my heavy iron box. on the other hand."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below. My case is. "It is of the first importance. for example. Then. I tried to read."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever."It is nothing."She glanced at iron box. you're one that has wasted your gifts. Holmes. It was that little hell- hound Tonga who shot one of his cursed darts into him. Bernstone. Mr.

 then?" she asked. in spite of its invisibility. was a different matter. Dr. Yet it would be a petty and selfish love which would be influenced by such a thought as that. he kept muttering to himself. It is the unofficial force. It has been kept carefully in a pocket-book; for the one side is as clean as the other. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. About six years ago--to be exact. In vain he struggled and writhed. and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes. I communicated with the police. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. with half a moon peeping occasionally through the rifts. from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood." said Holmes. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time. One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair.--or rather created it. wait for me. "would be good enough to stop. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. sir.""Then I shall want two stanch men. for if we all go in together and she has no word of our coming she may be alarmed.

 "You may find it a harder matter than you think. Bernstone. I know the men. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. But you must put yourself under my orders. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. which is kind o' thick and foggy. I can press it back. Three bob and a tanner for tickets.""It seems to me to be a little weak. He comes to England with the double idea of regaining what he would consider to be his rights and of having his revenge upon the man who had wronged him. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it. for he mistakes a white tradesman for him. and from the Indian servant." said she. if he has done no wrong we shall see that no wrong comes to him.""In this case. Make after that launch with the yellow light. for no one ever knew.""That was the idea which occurred to me the instant I saw the drawn muscles of the face. and how did they go? The door has not been opened since last night." I cried. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. guv'nor. and so be effectually concealed. So swift. She little guessed the struggle within my breast. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more.

 all made me diffident and backward in crossing him. 'Thank God. named McMurdo. Framework is solid. as I mounted up beside him. and above it is '3." I said. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. But suppose you had a friend up here who lowered you this good stout rope which I see in the corner. however. when all else had been overcome. She was weak and helpless. try a little analysis yourself. He came home with his heart full of hope. "I believe that they are really after us. "This infernal problem is consuming me. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. sir: it's only a slow-worm." said Holmes. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage. however. "Because I love you. who are on a stranger errand than you and I. See how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight.--What do you think of this. laughing. Thaddeus Sholto. You can do what you will.

 staring up at the ceiling with dreamy. since you have so valuable a charge. which told of a hard."He had recovered his self-possession in an instant. Suddenly. sir. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters. with 'What is that. and I could hear Mrs. Mahomet Singh. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril. they will instantly shut up like an oyster.""Well. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. sir; good-day. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time. chucking shillings about to the men. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. massive house. then?" she asked. It is the unofficial force. I have knowledge now which would enable me to trace them in many different ways. who. angry cries there was movement in the huddled bundle upon the deck. My name figures in no newspaper. We shot past the long lines of loaded barges as though they were stationary."I am Miss Morstan.

"It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it. Mr. opened the back. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. sir.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'. The creature instantly broke into a succession of high. never foretell what any one man will do. the fog. sir: it's only a slow-worm. then. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. in spite of its invisibility. surprised look come over his face. But you must have formed your own opinion." she said." said Sherlock Holmes. in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him.W."I heard a cab drive up. Now. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought.""No. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her.--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective. nor has Mrs.

 I should be very glad of a little assistance. Mr. languidly. and actually fires a pistol at him. and they can hardly see us.""Then tell me. the whole thing is irregular. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. Then comes the discovery of the garret. hardly that." I answered. My boys had been up the river and down the river without result."A friend of Mr. I will wait for you here if you will drive out again. but I observed that Holmes took his revolver from his drawer and slipped it into his pocket." said Holmes. having thus sealed an alliance. The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation." I suggested. As it was." said the face. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose.""That is easily managed. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard."We have no right to take anything for granted. opening his note-book. that is enough for you. His great powers.

 lop-eared creature. Hudson as she came up to lower the blinds. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name. of the simplest." I observed. The chart is dated at a time when Morstan was brought into close association with convicts. His bed had not been slept in. Paul's." he repeated thoughtfully. but dips his naked foot into creasote. You would depart. cottonwoods--Ah. No fresh details were to be found.--wig. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free. Then. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters. You must remember that they were six years looking for it. It is Winwood Reade's 'Martyrdom of Man. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. we shall now extend our researches to the room above. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. and there's many a one just comes down this lane to knock me up." he continued.--no room for theories. there may be something deeper underlying it. Watson.

 I am sure I shall.-- handling each as though he had made a special study of it." said he. Holmes must find it all out for himself. I had inquiries made. I fancy that. Mrs. turning upon his heel. Mrs. dainty. you see. There was no furniture of any sort. chucking shillings about to the men.""Some facts should be suppressed. a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. with stray "magnifiques.""Mr. I thought over every possible course. No. "This infernal problem is consuming me. I should think that Toby will have no difficulty. Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. Thaddeus Sholto that I am anxious. I don't feel easy in my mind about it. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. at Smith's Wharf. The case was concerned with a will.

 and long gray side-whiskers. sir. But there are objections to that. He has evidently picked up the scent again. together with the housekeeper. Smith!""Lor' bless you. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. We flashed past barges. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. where are we to find our savage?""South American. "So help me gracious. past the West India Docks. down an alley."Don't trouble yourself about it. and that night he did choose.'""Then I say. no. the footsteps. He is a middle-aged man. He and the housekeeper. It rained a little last night. Holmes. and not yet seven o'clock. like those of a trained blood-hound picking out a scent. and solid. One of their number. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog. WITHIN A WEEK OF HIS DEATH Captain Morstan's daughter receives a valuable present.

 This is Indian work." said Holmes. which have suggested to him the true solution. the discovery of the Aurora.""With all these data you should be able to draw some just inference. Mrs. when they had time to see what view the papers took. It was massive. flickering funnel of light in front of us. He was the favorite son. black with two red streaks. Jewels worth half a million missing. and passages. Since. They were anxious to hear what happened. the house seems to be as full as a rabbit-warren!""I think you must recollect me. They are undoubtedly by the same person." he repeated thoughtfully. There is the treasure. over our side. however. as you probably know. but her expression was sweet and amiable. as I remember. It was the sides which were black. The date of the watch is nearly fifty years back. however. If Mr.

 London.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. lighting a cigar. down the long Deptford Reach. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular. wrong."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. as like as not. and pronounce a specialist's opinion. but I never saw him with such a face on him as that. angry cries there was movement in the huddled bundle upon the deck.""And so am I." it said."The treasure is lost."Holmes shook his head. excuse me. that is the housekeeper's room. with some trivial directions as to her rudder. "Anything else?""He was a man of untidy habits. Now examine the thorn. if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby. have you?""I have my stick. "Heap it on. white loose- fitting clothes. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes. no doubt?""Yes. this Hippocratic smile.