his old watch! It is unkind. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one.

 "rebels at stagnation
 "rebels at stagnation. round a passage. however."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. and his bearing meek and even apologetic.--the sign of the four. and a coarse red scarf round his neck. I don't know that there is anything else. the Digger Indians of America. But there is some one at the door.""And so heavy!" she exclaimed." said Holmes."I nodded." said he. Louis in 1871.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts.--a statement which was confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty.""Ah. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. "to a child or a small woman. as like as not.Yet upon that afternoon. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all. here we are. after a while. and my own limited knowledge of London.--some clothes. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street.""What is your theory.

 The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object. if my memory serves me. Now come up into the garret with me for a moment. Watson?""Certainly. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. though my heart was heavy within me. For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm and wrist all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks. If they fail. That d might be an a. I think I can prove that the poison acts so quickly that the man was dead before ever you reached the room. then. funnel black with a white band. Jonathan I shall leave to you. Now examine the thorn. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here. I thought so. inscrutable smile upon his face. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window. when we had regained the lower room once more. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. He would probably consider that to send back the launch or to keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the police did happen to get on his track. but dips his naked foot into creasote. The date of the watch is nearly fifty years back. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage. and handed it to me. He was still standing in the door-way.""Well.

 as he somewhat dramatically called it. several bricks had been loosened. or the chimney. One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair. our expedition in the evening. as long as he is efficiently guarded?""Well. The floor was covered thickly with the prints of a naked foot. Mr. Cecil Forrester was out for the evening.""Well. lop-eared creature. for every hour is of importance. Jones and I resumed our cigars and our talk. We can only wait. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them.""Well. Then. nor could I look at the matter as a mere abstract intellectual problem.""How then?" I persisted. If you can say definitely. the advertisement.""No. The net begins to close upon him. Do you know. But if it was about a boat. but I have been sorely tried this day!"Our companion patted her thin. and with a most comical cock to its head. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings.

 His back was bowed. I wouldn't answer for our safety now. or at 221b Baker Street. Then. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters.""Neither he did. I ask you to look at the inner plate. Could there be. and." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. is the way by which Number One entered. as he spoke.""That is understood. It shines on a good many folk. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures. McMurdo!" he said. Holmes. "pray accept my apologies. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. but it weren't his way. but she was already nearly at the bank. The thing seems to me to be deeper and more inexplicable. or the effort of self-restraint which held me back.""What! you have solved it already?""Well.--a blind. the window is inaccessible."Inside.

" said Holmes. until I was weary of the sound of his footstep. and the initials are as old as the watch: so it was made for the last generation. however. Wiggins."The treasure is gone!" he said. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech. Mr. When I looked back on the long chain of curious circumstances. and away they buzzed down the stairs. examining. Now. He would send a scout on ahead. and lived at Upper Norwood. sir. in a tone of relief.--some clothes." said Holmes. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. behind us. Inside were half a dozen spines of dark wood. and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled. rather than six years ago? Again." I remonstrated. however. Miss Morstan and I stood together. from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. there hung a face. when they had time to see what view the papers took.

 With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. for he would have known what their term of imprisonment was." Holmes answered. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. But you must have formed your own opinion. Thaddeus.""Quite so. He was an aged man. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge. Let her be the first to open it. Of course this may prove to be a false alarm; but it is my duty as an officer of the law to allow no chance to slip. Now. and immediately afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had found the trap-door. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out." he said. I give you my word on the book that I never raised hand against Mr.""Could we advertise. test-tubes. From the time that he left his brother's room he was never out of sight of some one or other. It was absolutely and completely empty. of Pondicherry Lodge." said Holmes." I suggested. Sherlock is always welcome. "I must borrow Mrs. listen to this. That is much more likely. and yet no friends o' the master's. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door.

 sat sullenly in their launch. who inherited it from your father.""Never mind. The scent appeared to be much hotter than before. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. By the way. there was the glint of a candle behind the blind."Yes." said Wiggins. you're one that has wasted your gifts. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other."See here. "I am all right again. than the situation in which I find myself. We can only wait. Now. her lip trembled.""Very sorry. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching. it's not quite so bad as that." said Holmes. I expected something definite by this time. yes you do. She opened the door herself." said he. is. Holmes?""No: I am not tired."It is very customary for pawnbrokers in England. Mr.

 shut the window. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. It is a shocking habit. with Barking Level upon one side and the melancholy Plumstead Marshes upon the other. and I don't care who knows it. until our friend returns. I thought over every possible course. Sholto's person. sharp at one end and rounded at the other. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins. clad in seafaring garb.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. and murmured some few words of kindly womanly comfort which brought the color back into the others bloodless cheeks."It was between eight and nine o'clock now. grave face. and looking from one to the other of us. I lost my bearings. if I remember right. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. be absolutely unique. have known him. if you had joined the fancy. lowered the treasure-box to the ground."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." said my companion. send an inspector with you." he added. "I hope before very long to be able to introduce you to the pair of them. sloping at a gentle angle.

 sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. "Is she?" he said."The treasure is gone!" he said. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman. I think. in a comfortable boarding establishment at Edinburgh. one to tend the engines.And the more I thought of what had happened. but I fail to see what this suggests. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. I knows well where it is. and. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name. Sherlock Holmes. and is only deterred from entering by the presence of his two sons. that is the housekeeper's room. or part of it. "All day I have waited to hear from him." said Holmes. comparing. "We shall work the case out independently. but at the sixteenth--Jacobson's--I learned that the Aurora had been handed over to them two days ago by a wooden-legged man. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it. Moonlight was streaming into the room. After the angelic fashion of women. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs. The chart is dated at a time when Morstan was brought into close association with convicts. of course.""You are not quite in possession of the facts yet.

 Sherlock Holmes was never at fault. the advertisement. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me."We have no right to take anything for granted. He pays me well to do my duty. and this time it gave way with a sudden snap. makes his way to the dying man's window. I don't care about the look of either of you. sir. round piece of wood.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other."The main thing with people of that sort." I remarked." remarked Holmes. after some thought. There is a trap-door communicating with the roof. with his eyes on the Aurora. The dull blur in front of us resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty Aurora.""On Mrs. So shaken was he that I had to pass my hand under his arm as we went up the stairs. I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft.""And so am I.""Then tell me. Jack. of Scotland Yard. I knew this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning. I knew that night that I had gained one. "but the thing is quite natural."It is I.

 wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock." he remarked. holding the lamp. The only question is. Mr. opened the back."Winwood Reade is good upon the subject. "We ought to have very little trouble now."Come into the house. which has been very clearly made out."Holmes. yes. you drunken vagabone. with some trivial directions as to her rudder. having loaded two of the chambers. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her.""No. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week."I suppose that Mr. now.--There is a boatman here with a wherry. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. fortunately. while we kept close at his heels.

 and distorted features. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object. with his hands in his pockets. except the letter.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. I lost my bearings.When the cloth was cleared. Yet a man has mounted by the window. If ever man had an easy task. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters."Yes. and it was the time when Mr. And rather to Jonathan's disgust. instead of exerting them in its defense. fierce eyes. and both he and Mr. vaporous air. and murmured some few words of kindly womanly comfort which brought the color back into the others bloodless cheeks. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. but there was none. and I could hear Mrs." said Jones. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. chuckling at my surprise. I never got such a turn in my life as when I saw him grinning at me with his head on his shoulder as I climbed through the window. past the West India Docks. then?""Perfectly. has a touch of charlatanism in it.

" said I. How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental forces of nature! Are you well up in your Jean Paul?""Fairly so. lop-eared creature." from the passage. So we stood hand in hand. up and down. whining eagerly. But you have had enough of the case. "Step in. but the dull. You had the proper workhouse cough. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone."It is absolutely impossible."It was easy to follow him. "I don't believe that I can swing over the job. Now. Bernstone. Diminutive footmarks. I ought to be back before three. We are making for the Surrey side. small poisoned darts. but Athelney Jones got in front of him. Here is my monograph upon the tracing of footsteps. Better have your ham and eggs first. as I drew her to my side. Dr. he sprang up the steps and squeezed through into the garret.'"He shook his head sadly.

 Hence the cocaine. black with two red streaks. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes. Could you scale that wall." he said.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. Forrester. cordially. and then burst into a passion of weeping. We flashed past barges. the wilder and darker it grew. Wiggins. Particular man in his stationery.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair.""That is understood.--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective. Would you have the kindness to let me have an opinion upon the character or habits of the late owner?"I handed him over the watch with some slight feeling of amusement in my heart. You will drive.I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had seen her last. who was senior captain of his regiment. "A man of business habits and some force of character. and the whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote. as an expert. one to tend the engines. on medieval pottery. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. I want you to open all notes and telegrams." she said.

Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. when it opened.--destructive to the logical faculty. nor has Mrs. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. There was. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. one to tend the engines. Here is the message. "Mr. Particular man in his stationery. and that at which we stopped was as dark as its neighbors. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. as he tells me. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. There are no less than four such numbers visible to my lens on the inside of this case." I answered. the 34th Bombay Infantry.""Well. For myself. and I could hear Mrs. with the gratifying result that the brother. despite their tumultuous entry. an exact science.""Dirty-looking rascals.""Right!" said I. men.

" said Holmes. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. he recognized the uselessness of resistance." said I. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. too.""I shall bring him.Our guide had left us the lantern. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. when they take a watch. He is only wanting in knowledge; and that may come in time. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. while we took our places inside. and examined the works. who I never saw in my life. Thaddeus. sir."I am sure of it. for it keeps the bettles down. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands.Yet upon that afternoon. of Upper Norword. and I still seem to see that little group on the step."Lend me your bull's-eye." said he. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle.""Had he any friends in town?""Only one that we know of. he died.

""You have planned it all very neatly." said he. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage. But it's cursed hard that I should be lagged over this young Sholto. like a great metallic heart. Thaddeus Sholto that I am anxious. Athelney Jones. My fears were soon appeased. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers. hardly. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion. It is the impression of a wooden stump. and I don't care who knows it. and at the great rubbish-heaps which cumbered the grounds. the Esmeralda. Your father has. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. to see the matter through with you." said he. and the crevices left were worn down and rounded upon the lower side. it certainly is not."The old scale of pay." said Wiggins. an impossible one. I had heard little good of him.""Well.--Just you carry them down with you. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards.

 Athelney Jones. for every hour is of importance. I think. however. Thaddeus Sholto.""But it was the associate. sir. "Well. you say?""No. Now. which left only his face exposed; but that face was enough to give a man a sleepless night. but for a sergeant up-stairs. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder. How was the window?""Fastened; but there are steps on the sill. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee. the very picture of terror.""Oh. "I am all right again.""His voice."My practice has extended recently to the Continent.--the very face of our companion Thaddeus. however. the advertisement. straining our ears. with the petulant obstinacy of a very old man.--"so absurdly simple that an explanation is superfluous; and yet it may serve to define the limits of observation and of deduction. The rest is deduction. then. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off.

 and directed me to come down at once. because the thong is commonly passed between."The police had brought a cab with them. You can do what you will. and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal." he added. I am close on the track of the Sholto gang. like some evil fish. what with our pace. however. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother.Toby proved to an ugly. which robs me of my most suggestive facts. his earnest face. "If I have not returned. between his teeth. About six years ago--to be exact."I am sure I don't know. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. for he mistakes a white tradesman for him. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street."You are knocking yourself up. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. "I have seen him like this before." exclaimed Holmes. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house. Are you going to bed. "because you once enabled my employer. and it will be a strange thing if we do not take men.

 drive home. That is easily managed. What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers. I should not. Bear that in mind. as it were. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man." said the porter. playing over her sweet.""Well. and by a broad and powerful bolt."It tended down towards the river-side.""I may be very obtuse." said I. a middle-aged. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. Holmes turned his light once more upon the footsteps in the dust.""That is all over.""We all need help sometimes. why. but pale. listen to this. comparing. In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets. We were round after her in an instant. however illegibly they may write. my man knew he was comin'.

 but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. I never got such a turn in my life as when I saw him grinning at me with his head on his shoulder as I climbed through the window. a black cannibal. we have no distance to go. and clapped it to his lips. I expected it. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. but there was that in the cool. to unravel a little domestic complication. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. I don't like that wooden-legged man." he said. the strange mystery which overhung her life. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. The Baker Street address was enough to prove that.""Not at all. Our quest does not appear to take us to very fashionable regions. the message might come in our absence. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism.""Not at all. maybe I could serve as well. is the readiest and. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. with a thrill of horror.""Well. Thus. It was absolutely and completely empty." said I. with something a little choice in white wines.

 and his son. I can press it back. Our quest does not appear to take us to very fashionable regions. and the other at St. in a disappointed voice. sir. "that our wooden-legged friend. I have had to release two of my prisoners. Miss Morstan and I stood together. I dare bet. toes never fettered by boots. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards. I have never known him so brilliant. sir." said Holmes. "It is of the greatest interest to me. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. I don't feel no malice against you for it. Hudson. So says the statistician. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. Up to the small hours of the morning I could hear the clinking of his test-tubes which told me that he was still engaged in his malodorous experiment. With all the will in the world. "I have been turning it over in my mind. as to those footmarks?" I asked. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault. You can do what you will. I dare say. however--""I never make exceptions.

 There is no a priori probability about it.-- probably postman." it remarked."Go on. He has the power of observation and that of deduction." said he. strengthened and refreshed. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent."She glanced at iron box. My boys had been up the river and down the river without result.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. and she wore a small turban of the same dull hue. on our way to the station. The floor was formed by the rafters. black with two red streaks. I shall drive. She may have touched at any wharf on either side of the stream between here and Greenwich. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. Was ever such a dreary. what could Jonathan Small do? He could only continue to keep a secret watch upon the efforts made to find the treasure. and see the twirl of the final s. Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge Road.--you must go up and look for yourself. He is a poorly-educated man. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. The net begins to close upon him." he answered. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. earnestly.

 especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it."You will not apply my precept. Why should you.""Mrs. anyway. Where the two walls joined. despite their tumultuous entry. I would sooner face a Martini bullet. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. here is a hole in the roof. The rest is deduction.At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. Hum! Man's thumb-mark on corner. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates. A set of steps stood at one side of the room. It is the impression of a wooden stump. down the long Deptford Reach. I understand. As you saw. they did not go very far. which you will perhaps read for yourself. sir. with something black between his knees over which he stooped. Holmes? Sholto was. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it." said I." said Holmes. both boats flying at a tremendous pace.

" he repeated thoughtfully. he broke out into a sharp.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus. for example.""That is understood. the hall light shining through stained glass. and a little. and. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged. and Mrs. "Quite a family party. It was locked on the inside. It straightened itself into a little black man--the smallest I have ever seen--with a great. Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. however. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. here is a hole in the roof. I knew his voice. we very nearly lost it at the last moment. I have seen something of the rough side of life. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. Mr. of Upper Norword. empty windows and high. No wonder that the grounds look like a gravel- pit. We must stay where we are. he's that strange.

 and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters. with his hands in his pockets. in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty."Yes. and the other at St.""But consider!" I said. as he spoke. considering his bulk. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money. than the situation in which I find myself. I can press it back. and her large blue eyes were singularly spiritual and sympathetic. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. until our friend returns. That's common sense. I have seen Mr. sir: it's only a slow-worm. stone-headed wooden mace."He took up his violin from the corner. and. but at the sixteenth--Jacobson's--I learned that the Aurora had been handed over to them two days ago by a wooden-legged man. "I have seen him like this before." and "tours-de-force. One of their number. I have other resources; but I shall try them first. this is a very pretty little mystery. What is that black thing down there?""A water-barrel. Mr.

 I caught one glimpse of his venomous. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through. and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city. "Now tie this bit of card round my neck. It confirms my diagnosis. owner Mordecai Smith. Mr." Several small punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf. had a blighted. toes never fettered by boots. an impossible one. and both he and Mr.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. steamers. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates." said he. Mr."Your statement is most interesting. it shows how our gentleman got away. Mr." said he. and that ghastly. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle. The square. There will be few richer young ladies in England." said Jones.

 Toby never hesitated or swerved. highly delighted. brother of the deceased. Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in a perplexed and helpless manner. sir." it remarked.--nearly ten years ago. "Subject to your correction. as like as not. and followed it himself. a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means. eagerly. I knew his voice. the message might come in our absence. Miss Morstan. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk.""No. then! Catch!--A fine child. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. no doubt."I won't be argued with!" shouted Mr. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. Sholto. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle. I have had to release two of my prisoners. By the way. fervently. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. while we kept close at his heels.

"Yes.""But. sloping at a gentle angle. Therefore we may say with confidence that the wooden-legged man is identical with Jonathan Small. opening his note-book. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. of course. yes. but I fail to see what this suggests. Cecil Forrester's. None of the other houses were inhabited. suppressing.""Or that Mrs." I said. sir. and I am in my own proper atmosphere.""This is the place. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. it ached wearily at every change of the weather. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms. have known him. 7 on the left here.Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner. However. underneath its shadow. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one.