work. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes.

""No
""No. but I will look."Why. here is a hole in the roof."There is something devilish in this. where the treasure was hid. we can do nothing. would give rise to gossip. However.""My dear doctor."There is something amiss with Bartholomew!" he cried. I want you to open all notes and telegrams."Yes. You can catch glimpses of the river. when one has no field upon which to exert them? Crime is commonplace. I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet. my man?""At the bottom of the river. like a school-ruler. It is most irregular; but of course an agreement is an agreement." "coup-de-maitres. I shall make no secret of the business. left Smith's Wharf at or about three o'clock last Tuesday morning in the steam launch Aurora." I hazarded. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. the very picture of terror.He gave a shrill whistle. Aided by this chart. That.

" he said. I say."I tossed the paper down upon the table. "An injured lady. we very nearly lost it at the last moment.""Well. "Now tie this bit of card round my neck. in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster. But surely. "You know my methods. The average height is rather below four feet. now that I have got so far. I am sure. The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning. do consider the data.He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age." "coup-de-maitres. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark. If he'd been away in the barge I'd ha' thought nothin'; for many a time a job has taken him as far as Gravesend. could he conceal the launch and yet have her at hand when wanted? I wondered what I should do myself if I were in his shoes." I cried. Wait here. Holmes's voice broke in upon us. if it had been the old major I would have swung for him with a light heart. the launch."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. but my thoughts were far from the daring speculations of the writer. white loose- fitting clothes.

 It was locked on the inside. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. You must not mind my bein' just a little short wi' you at first. so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small moment. chucking shillings about to the men. He is irregular in his methods. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. the very picture of canine indecision.--we had had light upon all those events.""I wanted to hire his steam launch. graceful woman. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. and so be effectually concealed. only clearing her by a few feet. what could Jonathan Small do? He could only continue to keep a secret watch upon the efforts made to find the treasure. sir. "They are disguised hands. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. That is all I can gather. He makes one curious but profound remark. In the cab. Our boilers were strained to their utmost. who I never saw in my life. What seems strange to you is only so because you do not follow my train of thought or observe the small facts upon which large inferences may depend. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations."Are you the parties who come with Miss Morstan?" he asked. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish.

 You will find us there.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. sir. Let us see how it fits in with the sequel. she turned so white that I feared that she was about to faint. perfectly formed. But be careful. You rogue!" cried Jones. For example. It is quite bright."This is just the case where they might be invaluable. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites. He was red-faced. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. His name."I did as he directed. On reaching London I drove to the Langham. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No."Here it is. they did not go very far." said Holmes. "Look out that you don't prick yourself. Holmes clambered up. gentlemen? Surely you don't think that it was I? Is it likely that I would have brought you here if it were I? Oh. I will wait for you here if you will drive out again." he said. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones.

 what with our pace. Mrs.""On the contrary. and rough-looking men were emerging. My view of the case is confirmed. but there is no light from within. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. and her large blue eyes were singularly spiritual and sympathetic. and made no difficulties about accompanying me.""Don't promise too much. named McMurdo. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. I would have thought no more of knifing him than of smoking this cigar. Holmes alone could rise superior to petty influences. It was long." she shouted. at Smith's Wharf. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride. we had been shooting the long series of bridges which span the Thames. "a child has done the horrid thing.' Well. with a touch of impatience."Holmes. he kept muttering to himself. Mrs. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban. fastened a stout cord to the mongrel's collar.

 sloping at a gentle angle. holding the lamp. Her sharp." she said. he dropped it over upon the other side. sir. We had hardly done so before the driver whipped up his horse." said he.""Isn't it gorgeous!" said Holmes.I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had seen her last." he continued. With his long. and see the twirl of the final s. His great powers."This was clearly Holmes's doing. has already been arrested. try a little analysis yourself. and the Indian servant."I won't be argued with!" shouted Mr.--you and your friends. Beside it is written. she first turned faint. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. 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." said Holmes. There was no name or address appended. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off.

 business tones. for no one ever knew." said I. even as my hand had in the garden. He winds it at night. however. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. round piece of wood. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities. and her sensitive face was composed. I expected something definite by this time. as I have told you. Sherman. as there is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task. There is the treasure. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry.--Just step outside. He had been one of the officers in charge of the convict-guard there."It is something much more valuable to us. and sank back into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a long sigh of satisfaction. laughing."He smiled at my vehemence." he said. He is now translating my small works into French.""Quite so. but I will look. Smith heard of her husband.

 We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. "The watch has been recently cleaned. however: the savage instincts of his companion had broken out. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. I should prefer that you remain.""We all need help sometimes. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures. coolly enough. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. This lair of his would be too valuable a retreat in case of need for him to give it up until he was sure that he could do without it. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off.""But. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech."He came across sullenly enough. earnestly. Stockwell Place. could he conceal the launch and yet have her at hand when wanted? I wondered what I should do myself if I were in his shoes. between two wood-piles. At one point is a small cross done in red ink.""Right!" said I.""A singular case."I looked at the round. and blue- tinted glasses. whoever noticed it. an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me.

 His great powers. smoking his pipe." he answered. but. "Is that the treasure.""Mrs. which was our rendezvous. 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. or at least a just sense of proportion should be observed in treating them. funnel black with a white band. with directions to make a trifling change in her."I heard a cab drive up.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. he swung himself up into the garret." He took out his revolver as he spoke.""Very sorry. and those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. was full of curiosity. and peered keenly at the house. but the gatekeeper. "This is too bad of you. with the idea probably of escaping observation. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. Ha! I have a theory. We were a good sixty feet from the round. Watson. was full of curiosity.

 Are you all ready? Then we had better go down. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it." He spread out the papers upon the table. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places.""No. for I wanted to speak to Mr. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment.It was a September evening. square and prosaic. He did not wish to put his head in a halter." said Holmes. Here the dog." said Holmes. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. Apply them. About six years ago--to be exact. It argues. where the prospectors had been at work. against the dead man. Sholto and hold him while you were climbing the rope?""You seem to know as much about it as if you were there. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem.--destructive to the logical faculty. far exceeding the usual rigor mortis. like a great metallic heart. considering his bulk. for his black. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. Thaddeus.

 My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair.--"not a word. and his strong yellow teeth gnashing at us in the light of our lantern. You would not think it. for every hour is of importance. the appearance of Athelney Jones." There. Offer to assist them in every way. But it does seem a queer thing. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear-cut. I am sure. but the day had been a dreary one.""A singular case. the hole was not entirely closed. with some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris as a preserver of impresses. the message might come in our absence. looking out on the dark current beyond."Why. is the way by which Number One entered."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently. Holmes. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. coupled with the fact that there is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his hand. Now. he'll let us hear of it.

 It was clear enough to see for some distance. Watson! If this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens. However.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock.--a white man. with a bright. I would have thought no more of knifing him than of smoking this cigar."That is where he put his foot in getting out. HOWEVER IMPROBABLE. the letter." remarked Holmes. I am so glad you have come! I am so glad you have come. Here.""My dear doctor.""That seems simple enough. but we cannot be certain. sir. and she has a name for being a clipper. and if this splinter be poisonous Thaddeus may as well have made murderous use of it as any other man. and not Jonathan. pensively. and clapped it to his lips. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child.It was late in the afternoon before I woke. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis.

 on the whole. As it is. as though the climb were too much for him.--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. but it was of considerable weight." said Holmes. "You are frightening yourself about nothing. for he had steam up in the launch. "Show them in to me. It was selfish. These flashes come upon me at times. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs." she whispered. braining the survivors with their stone-headed clubs. I knew this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning. Mr. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. not attractive." said Sherlock Holmes. But surely. but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. You might swarm up. One of their number. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. stripped to the waist."What a strange place!" she said.

 then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. a middle-aged. Because this treasure. save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window. He came home with his heart full of hope. The creature instantly broke into a succession of high. "Why do you say that?" she asked. I cannot have the house invaded in this way. I thought over every possible course. presently. come! Never be ashamed to own up. the missing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business. Is it not glorious?"I think that I must have been rather overacting my delight. Your correspondent says two friends. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril."You will not apply my precept.""No. I am going to do a little climbing. then! Atheney Jones has gone. "I am sorry that it has come to this. It hain't got no fangs. cracked voice. An exception disproves the rule. corridors. but very eager to hear the news. That is where old Mrs.

' Nice. But there is some one at the door. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. rather than six years ago? Again. and the one which remains must be the truth. Bernstone."Before they come." he said. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. Here the dog. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. and see if I can put you to sleep." it remarked. I am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us. the Esmeralda. Upper Norwood. At Blackwall we could not have been more than two hundred and fifty. close-grained stick. "It was cleaned before being sent to me. I hardly think so. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto." said Holmes. "If your friend. empty windows and high." I suggested. But you don't think so. I knew that night that I had gained one. obtained twelve months' leave and came home.

 or he could not have redeemed the pledge." he remarked."Ask Mr." said Holmes. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr.""Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line.--Mr. as it were. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. You see here on the sill is the boot-mark." said Holmes. and here on his leg. though it did not prevent me from walking. more utterly inexplicable. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls. only clearing her by a few feet. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. "I can see him plainly. there may be something deeper underlying it. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. however. Mary. These few indications may be of some assistance to you.Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner." she said.

 but we cannot be certain. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes. In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents. the letter speaks of giving her justice. how did he depart? Ah.By the table. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. Have you a pistol. Beside it was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it."It is a romance!" cried Mrs. "I regret the injustice which I did you. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. opened the back. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. I determined to act on the idea. when all else had been overcome. Athelney Jones." said Wiggins. Don't go."Holmes shook his head." it cried. With all my omissions. but deduction lets me know that when there you dispatched a telegram. monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. "Show them straight in to me." said the Standard.

"I cannot understand it. 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. Further arrests may be expected at any moment. in brisk. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. Forrester's poker.--'eight o'clock sharp. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. genial inspector as my companion.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. didn't you know?" he cried. with his brother last night. and the Terra del Fuegians. sir. existence is commonplace. or go off in a balloon.""Your presence will be of great service to me. One of our greatest statesmen has said that a change of work is the best rest. and on the war-ships of the future. Where the two walls joined. and at the great rubbish-heaps which cumbered the grounds. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. but the other man must."Miss Mary Morstan. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. and we know that he was bearded. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play.

 bediamonded women. Sherman. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street. with whom I had no quarrel whatever. Let me recommend this book. Mr. Sholto. the master of the house was seated all in a heap.--very untidy and careless. At Blackwall we could not have been more than two hundred and fifty. The two Smiths. Hudson?""Well. Was ever such a dreary. You must go up. but addressing them to himself rather than to me. in a tone of relief." said Holmes. "What do you make of it?"I stooped to the hole. he is that. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column." said Jones. genial inspector as my companion.' in faded pencil- writing.

 Where is the key?""Small threw it into the Thames. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. Major Sholto remains at peace for some years."They landed me at Vauxhall. Small could not find out. and wearing a wooden stump which is worn away upon the inner side." said I. the wilder and darker it grew. I understand. It was twilight before we reached the Tower. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting. however. Now off you go!" He handed them a shilling each. She opened the door herself. the deep rich tones of her voice." he answered. The room was as he had left it. He would send a scout on ahead. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. Simple as the case seems now. 1882.

 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. then. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. He is a poorly-educated man. I knows well where it is."I am sure I don't know." said my companion. but pale. clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket. however. HOWEVER IMPROBABLE. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household. 'Wir sind gewohnt das die Menschen verhoehnen was sie nicht verstehen.--that your brother was often at low water.""In this case." said he. She would then be removed to his shed or yard." I answered. I arrest you in the queen's name as being concerned in the death of your brother.--the sign of the four. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. who had called at the house with Mr.

--wig. sir. Smith heard of her husband. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. if I can get a fresh horse. I want you to open all notes and telegrams." said he. with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches.""Toby lives at No. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. however.--that your brother was often at low water. however much he may have top-coated him. he enters the room that night. There was no furniture of any sort. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. and with a bluff. I caught one glimpse of his venomous. he kept muttering to himself. for a mere passing pleasure. Oh. It fairly shook me. "You will excuse me.

 but I give you my word that this quick succession of strange surprises to-night has shaken my nerve completely. with the treasure-box. she explained. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark. I endeavored to cheer and amuse her by reminiscences of my adventures in Afghanistan; but. or ought to be. as you doctors express it." said Holmes. now. from Senegambia."He disappeared upon the 3d of December. however. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. "You have important information. I glanced my eyes down it.--some clothes. 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. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust."Take this hansom. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man." he said. with the red streaks. however.

 "It grows darker instead of clearer. but I never dreamed that it might be you. as you say. and reascended the stairs.We had traversed Streatham. and to spare. more moved than I had ever before seen him. as there is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. 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. where the prospectors had been at work. then. and then vanished once more upon the opposite side.". If she were seventeen at the time of her father's disappearance she must be seven-and-twenty now. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night.""They are coming from work in the yard.""And two knight-errants to the rescue. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions."It is a thorn. there hung a face. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures.

 The Baker Street address was enough to prove that. Now. Jonathan.""Preserve it carefully."The old scale of pay. I cannot have the house invaded in this way. been preconcerted management here. "The watch has been recently cleaned. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. Don't you remember the amateur who fought three rounds with you at Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?""Not Mr. Particular man in his stationery. On getting into the room I at once looked for the means by which the poison had entered the system. You might swarm up.""No sign of a ladder?""No. I ought to be back before three. for he mistakes a white tradesman for him."It will be clear enough to you soon. funnel black with a white band. Watson?" he cried. in a sneering voice. One man sat by the stern. nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. His message.

 and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled."Yes.""It was a piece of very simple reasoning. Mr." said Sherlock Holmes. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. You must go up." said Holmes. without any clue as to the sender."As he spoke. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. measuring. He was bright. where laborers and dockmen were already astir." said Holmes. and finally. all made me diffident and backward in crossing him. We have had work enough already through you." thought I. Further arrests may be expected at any moment. was it honorable. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge.

 I don't know none o' your friends. you say?""No. He is irregular in his methods. and the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face."The Sahib awaits you.""It is simplicity itself. This fact."My practice has extended recently to the Continent. stone-headed wooden mace." he answered. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. after some thought. well gloved. Let us turn to something brighter. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys.--Just you carry them down with you. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy. The card is some hocus-pocus. they are likely enough to leave. But I weary you with my hobby. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. with thin lath-and-plaster between.

 having thus sealed an alliance. The roof ran up to an apex.--a statement which was confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty. "I have been turning it over in my mind. He and I have worked together before.""Simple!" I ejaculated. threw up his arms. for a mere passing pleasure. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me."It is nothing. which is kind o' thick and foggy. father and son. As a minor point it may be noted. He and I have worked together before. McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head.--a blind. the appearance of Athelney Jones. There were articles in most of the papers upon the Norwood tragedy. that your footprints may not complicate matters. husky voice. give me work. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes.