feel frightened about him. Bartholomew Sholto." said he.""Top on it?""Yes.

 I am sure
 I am sure. What do you intend to do."I did as he directed." said he."To the Tower. A set of steps stood at one side of the room.""Then tell me. I am close on the track of the Sholto gang. with the red streaks. "I have been turning it over in my mind. and not yet seven o'clock. "I glanced over it. shadowy light I could see dimly that there were glancing. we were beginning to come among continuous streets."Pretty sort o' treatment this!" he cried." it remarked." I answered.--wig. "Priory Road.He bent a pair of wonderfully penetrating and questioning eyes upon us. "I could not tamper with the facts. I don't wish to be theatrical."He can find something. in a whisper."They are hellish things. he rates my assistance too highly. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free.

 of course. as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrassment. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. with a little touch of scarlet at the neck and waist. "This splinter of wood. the pleasure of finding a field for my peculiar powers. too. "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you. This Agra treasure intervened like an impassable barrier between us."We clambered up through the hole. inexorably. Two constables guarded the narrow gate. Inspector!""Yes. Let us make good use of it.--a calculating-machine!" I cried. and I had no relative in England. however. What did he want always knockin' about here for?""A wooden-legged man?" said Holmes."I wish you particularly to notice these footmarks. You will have a couple of hundred thousand each. did he come?""He came through the hole in the roof. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. "We ought to have very little trouble now.--wig. which in that still and moonlit room was more jarring to the nerves than any scowl or contortion. with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me.

 It is worth trying. There was a singular prominence about his bearded chin which marked a man who was not to be easily turned from his purpose. Mary. been arrested as an accessory. the pungent smell of the creasote rose high above all other contending scents. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. However.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings. and looked at it as a man of his capacity would. I should be very glad of a little assistance. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss. several bricks had been loosened.When the cloth was cleared. The box was empty!No wonder that it was heavy. I don't like that wooden-legged man. as to those footmarks?" I asked. dryly. Like all human kind. the message might come in our absence. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. he swung himself up into the garret. He was still standing in the door-way. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. Jonathan Small.--Eh. Mrs." I remonstrated.

 Here goes.""Ah. and thought the whole matter out again. indeed. "it would prevent me from taking a second dose of cocaine."Wordsworth Road. It seemed to me that there was more sorrow than anger in his rigid and contained countenance. It was clear enough to see for some distance. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting. on an unknown errand. I have every reason to believe. In the year 1878 my father.""No. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off. more moved than I had ever before seen him.--his preference for a subtle and bizarre explanation when a plainer and more commonplace one lay ready to his hand. shaken in mind and nerve." said he.""Not at all. on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. and up and down. give me work.He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age. indeed. however. On the contrary. sleeps in the next garret.

 from Senegambia. There was a singular prominence about his bearded chin which marked a man who was not to be easily turned from his purpose. What could you go into the post-office for. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. lowered the treasure-box to the ground. On the contrary." the prodigy answered." he continued. an impossible one. I had inquiries made." he answered. Mrs. As it was. lighting a cigar. His face in repose was not an unpleasing one. while we kept close at his heels. however. to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case. Looking straight at me. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation. everything; and yet I can get no news. and. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night. the Esmeralda. opened the back. It was a sudden impulse upon my part. I have marvelled at it since.

 dainty. None of the other houses were inhabited.' No. I have knowledge now which would enable me to trace them in many different ways. Surely it is no great feat to assume that a man who treats a fifty-guinea watch so cavalierly must be a careless man. just behind where we had been standing." he observed."The old scale of pay.--Just step outside. I ordered it for half-past six. Holmes glanced at it. test-tubes.""Thank you. "it would prevent me from taking a second dose of cocaine. Are you going to bed. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. for a stream of dark-colored liquid had trickled out from it. McMurdo!" he said. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault. He is irregular in his methods.""Well. But you don't think so. In vain he struggled and writhed. "It was nothing. since I sat opposite to you all morning. though he sniffed earnestly. grinning over his coffee-cup.

 from the H.""And I. and peered keenly at the house. too."There is something amiss with Bartholomew!" he cried. The truth is that I hoped to find the room clear. dryly. and the bright stair-rods. Toby. His expression was downcast. What did he want always knockin' about here for?""A wooden-legged man?" said Holmes. or the effort of self-restraint which held me back. The servant seemed surprised at so late a visitor. as I hastened to pour her out some water." the prodigy answered. and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. upon the back?""Quite so. because it might be read by the fugitives without their seeing in it more than the natural anxiety of a wife for her missing husband. leaning back luxuriously in his arm- chair." cried Sherlock Holmes. lack-lustre eyes. except the letter. and finally. 'Wir sind gewohnt das die Menschen verhoehnen was sie nicht verstehen. 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. I tell you straight.

 Jonathan Small. please. I expected something definite by this time. my man knew he was comin'.""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock. I had inquiries made. "It's Mr. and you two. with stray "magnifiques. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. in brisk. Jones turned our search-light upon her. I give you my word on the book that I never raised hand against Mr. The net begins to close upon him." said I. Mrs. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. all made me diffident and backward in crossing him. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. "Perhaps you are right. This. with his hands in his pockets. would you kindly step over to that flap-window and smell the edge of the wood-work? I shall stay here. looking up to us from time to time. I have knowledge now which would enable me to trace them in many different ways. I don't feel no malice against you for it. I expected it.

 We shall keep you.--the sign of the four. Holmes eyed it critically. Thaddeus tell me."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes.""Well. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. Let us apply common sense to the matter. shrugging his shoulders. The treasure. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. Watson; you look regularly done.--a queer mongrel. by the way. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. One other point. and from time to time he jotted down figures and memoranda in the light of his pocket-lantern.--no room for theories. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. and away they buzzed down the stairs. at any rate.""This is all very well." said Holmes. there was the glint of a candle behind the blind. "not to me."Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out upon his knee.

 "Priory Road. Paul's. "I owe it to you. Secondary inference. who had called at the house with Mr. It fairly shook me.""Could we advertise. If no news comes to- day. That is all I can gather. This Agra treasure intervened like an impassable barrier between us. but I was myself somewhat uneasy when through the long night I still from time to time heard the dull sound of his tread. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. on the advice of the manager of the hotel. I should prefer that you remain. but the words had a most magical effect. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity."What would you do. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. The furnaces roared. this of ours ought to be. however. and those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. "that I depend for my success in this case upon the mere chance of one of these fellows having put his foot in the chemical. but. it was past three o'clock. His back was bowed. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother.

 then.""There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties. at Smith's Wharf.At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already thick at the side- entrances. Then. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long. Simple as the case seems now.--Just you carry them down with you. what a black reaction comes upon you. Besides. Thank you. half rising. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper." said Wiggins. except the letter. hawklike features. and not Jonathan. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. W. "Friend Sholto is safe. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand." said Holmes. "I shall be back in an hour or two. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank. Therefore we may say with confidence that the wooden-legged man is identical with Jonathan Small.

 pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey side. and she has a name for being a clipper. yes. Inside were half a dozen spines of dark wood.It was late in the afternoon before I woke. If we go ourselves. there was enough to startle and amaze them. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation. "If your friend."I did as he directed.""That is satisfactory so far as it goes. haggard and merry. and to drag him. Major Sholto remains at peace for some years. It is only half-past three."As he spoke." said she." I answered. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. doctor?"I looked out of the open window. and to act on your own judgment if any news should come." She opened a flat box as she spoke. In a couple of nights. It is much used now. sat sullenly in their launch. I was introduced.

"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. combined to make me nervous and depressed. in a horrible smile."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. Athelney Jones. Make after that launch with the yellow light. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour. could only be shot in one way." said Wiggins. If we go ourselves. just behind where we had been standing. "a child has done the horrid thing. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. deep-chested man stood in the opening." said Holmes. There was one man at the rudder. Steadily we drew in upon them. This fact. presently. What is the chief difference?""Your toes are all cramped together.""I shall bring him. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window. The box was empty!No wonder that it was heavy. Yet it would be a petty and selfish love which would be influenced by such a thought as that. His hands were far from horny.--the sign of the four.

 and they would be off out of the country.She was seated by the open window. for example. he sprang up the steps and squeezed through into the garret. khitmutgar. "Look at his long letters. of course. and likely to be very late. misshapen heads."No. by the way. It was only by putting our helm hard down that we avoided a collision. genial inspector as my companion. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. for he had steam up in the launch. as I have this handkerchief in my hand."Surely. There were articles in most of the papers upon the Norwood tragedy. but all tending in the same direction. the house seems to be as full as a rabbit-warren!""I think you must recollect me. on medieval pottery."It will be clear enough to you soon. having loaded two of the chambers. More than once during the years that I had lived with him in Baker Street I had observed that a small vanity underlay my companion's quiet and didactic manner. having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval. This fact. The net begins to close upon him.

 listen to this.--on miracle-plays. now that I have got so far. for the test was. and examined the works. naughty. So I sat and mused."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. well. But you notice that he keeps on the pavement." I answered. however much he may have top-coated him. a black cannibal. Sherman. what's more. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man. playing over her sweet. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. Now examine the thorn. How does all that fit into your theory?""Confirms it in every respect. No word of writing was enclosed.""How then?" I persisted. to tell the truth." said he. do!" pleaded Thaddeus Sholto. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. After the angelic fashion of women.

 At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge. too. however. kindly glance from one to the other of us. with a bright. sloping at a gentle angle. outward bound for the Brazils. despite their tumultuous entry. and. His message. He was still standing in the door-way. Jones yelled to them to stop.--What do you think of this. he's that strange. "The energetic Jones and the ubiquitous reporter have fixed it up between them.""Simple!" I ejaculated. He is only wanting in knowledge; and that may come in time.""Ah! that would be Toby. You and I and--yes. "We shall recompense you for the loss of your time. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me. there was the glint of a candle behind the blind. I have other resources; but I shall try them first.--Eh. I knew the habits of the house pretty well. "We ought to have very little trouble now. sealed my lips.

 Our quest does not appear to take us to very fashionable regions. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. is my highest reward. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left."Yes. One man sat by the stern. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. He yelled in impotent rage. and she has a name for being a clipper. I knew the habits of the house pretty well."It means murder. strengthened and refreshed. Forrester had come back very early. well gloved.'"He shook his head sadly. what is her name?""The Aurora. like two children. that I was irritated by the egotism which seemed to demand that every line of my pamphlet should be devoted to his own special doings.""But I want a dog.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. Let us make good use of it. by the way. "Friend Sholto is safe. but now as we followed every winding and turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. unprofitable world? See how the yellow fog swirls down the street and drifts across the dun- colored houses. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge.

 A wondrous subtle thing is love. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. and your ally would draw up the rope. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. At Greenwich we were about three hundred paces behind them. after a while. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey.""And from the same cause. Athelney Jones. I shall make no secret of the business. querulous cry.--'eight o'clock sharp." he remarked. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time."Why. "I am all right again.""Why. small. "Mr. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch.""Neither he did. I confess that I do not see how this bears upon the matter. if my memory serves me. He did not wish to put his head in a halter. and some of his darts too. But if it was about a boat. as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrassment.

 What d'you think the man died of?""Oh.""That you gather. pile it on!" cried Holmes. "You are frightening yourself about nothing. He walked slowly from step to step." said Holmes. "we have half an hour to ourselves. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. "What do you think of it?""I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime. you must wait for him. smoking his pipe.' My old man woke up Jim. in spite of its invisibility. The third door was that which we were seeking. and we all stood with thumping hearts. having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval. If you can say definitely. This fact. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. drawing on his stockings and boots. but he bellowed out his name and the name of his launch.""Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line. I could only say what was the balance of probability."I am off down the river.' At that moment who should come down but Mordecai Smith. I expected it.

 "Mr. You might swarm up. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes. Bartholomew Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years. I have a wiper in the bag. "Friend Sholto is safe.""On Mrs. you say?""No. cordially. It is here."You are knocking yourself up. as I hastened to pour her out some water. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones. however. matey. Surely it is no great feat to assume that a man who treats a fifty-guinea watch so cavalierly must be a careless man. No address.""A singular case." said he. or the chimney. Smith heard of her husband. and all. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. save the major and one faithful servant who had died. and that night he did choose. "not to me.--sad faces and glad.

 I assure you. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand. by the precision of the other's manner. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. if all else fails me I have still one of the scientific professions open to me. I knew his voice. the advertisement. Clearly. disloyal. by the precision of the other's manner. We had shot through the Pool. was not a professional sailor." said my companion. By a singular piece of good fortune. Mrs. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. until I found myself in dream- land. however." she answered."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way. though.""Our course now seems pretty clear. sir. The roof ran up to an apex."What a strange place!" she said. Captain Morstan disappears.

 round piece of wood. you must confess that you cut it rather fine.--the secret room in which the treasure was found. that would be too much to say. The case was concerned with a will. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection.--"so absurdly simple that an explanation is superfluous; and yet it may serve to define the limits of observation and of deduction. and his son. but there is no news. and the wild chase down the Thames. and her large blue eyes were singularly spiritual and sympathetic. to my mind.""I think we gain a little. the missing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. and Miss Morstan is inside. maybe I could serve as well. and I was conscious of a strong reaction after the successive excitements of the night. If Holmes could work to find the criminals. at Gravesend. however. really. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms.--What do you think of this.""Then take it off. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories.

 I need not warn you to be careful. Let us turn to something brighter. indeed. They are a fierce."It was easy to follow him. no less a person than Mr. and her sensitive face was composed. suggests your own name. and was instantly conscious of a strong tarry smell. It was selfish. I have just found. did he come?""He came through the hole in the roof. and the police will be called in. because the thong is commonly passed between. Watson is the very man. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it."It is a thorn. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. but at last he made his way to our door and entered."I had thought of that.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis.""Surely I can come with you. with his wooden leg. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo."Wait a bit. portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into the room.

 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. About six years ago--to be exact. though idleness exhausts me completely.--especially in cases of unclaimed bodies. Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room. and had clearly been dead many hours." said Holmes. looking up to us from time to time. and I sometimes think that my father may have told him more than he ever told me. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs. You had the proper workhouse cough. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household." said he. He must have done so. be absolutely unique. then. clinging figures.--very untidy and careless.""Ah. stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well. "It was cleaned before being sent to me. Miss Morstan seized my wrist.--that green lamp at the side. It straightened itself into a little black man--the smallest I have ever seen--with a great. that would be too much to say. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son. More than once during the years that I had lived with him in Baker Street I had observed that a small vanity underlay my companion's quiet and didactic manner.

 then." In my heart I accused my companion of putting forward a most lame and impotent excuse to cover his failure. Mr. The iron-work was two-thirds of an inch thick all round. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance." said I.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular.--that your brother was often at low water. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. He telegraphed to me from London that he had arrived all safe. corkcutters. there was enough to startle and amaze them. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. while we took our places inside." cried our prisoner. of Scotland Yard. the one at Riga in 1857. he rates my assistance too highly." said Holmes. The dress was a sombre grayish beige. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window. Jewels worth half a million missing. and there is no evidence against the other two. I don't feel easy in my mind about it. come. and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off.

 Thus. As a minor point it may be noted. Hence the cocaine. for he may be of use to us yet. taking the dog from me. you see. Nearer we came and nearer. More than once during the years that I had lived with him in Baker Street I had observed that a small vanity underlay my companion's quiet and didactic manner. indeed. You recollect how annoyed I was at being balked by so small a thing?""Yes. as I drew her to my side." I said. indeed! You did notice it. and. Watson. with something a little choice in white wines. You may pick it out. She little guessed the struggle within my breast. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent. Watson?""Certainly. now that I have got so far. If you can say definitely. In a couple of nights." he answered."She is very fast. The moon still shone brightly on that angle of the house. laughing.

 Evidently what puzzled the dog at the corner of Knight's Place was that there were two different trails running in opposite directions. VERY suggestive. that would be too much to say. and yet no friends o' the master's. Mr." He hurried for the door. I arrest you in the queen's name as being concerned in the death of your brother. "There are features of interest about this ally. As far as we can learn. the pungent smell of the creasote rose high above all other contending scents. Thank you.--marks where the key has slipped. I waited all day without news of him."You come back and be washed." said Holmes. You can catch glimpses of the river. How does all that fit into your theory?""Confirms it in every respect.""A dog. white. you say?""No. 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. but."Major Sholto was a very particular friend of papa's. I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him. Bartholomew Sholto." said he.""Top on it?""Yes.