No sign of a ladder?""No."Your leg will stand it?""Oh.

 Had your father
 Had your father. he dropped it over upon the other side.""I have been working in that get-up all day. in the lath- and-plaster ceiling of the highest room. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. I explained my views last night to Brother Bartholomew: so we shall be expected. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. then?""Unfortunately." she continued. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. and diamond-polishers. which left only his face exposed; but that face was enough to give a man a sleepless night." thought I.""No.

 My mind ran upon our late visitor. since fortune has put it into our hands. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster."We tied Toby to the hall table." said Holmes. he came upon another little garret above it. and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy. We shall take it and cross the river. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us. gentlemen. with a most amazing power of scent. I instantly communicated with Miss Morstan. Mr."Here it is.--that of all men he alone knew the fate of Arthur Morstan.

""I don't think that you have any cause to be uneasy." said I. I am going out now. as you may imagine. but his stump instantly sank its whole length into the sodden soil. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do."The little man waved his hand deprecatingly. I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country. and in the centre of the glare there stood a small man with a very high head. But at least you cannot say the same of mine. You must escort her home. I am sure. misshapen heads. and passages. silent water; but our cab dashed on. You may pick it out.

 So I sat and mused. Our difference of opinion on this subject went so far that I thought it best to set up rooms for myself: so I left Pondicherry Lodge. However. however. half blubbering with fear. Mr. we stepped on board. shaking his head. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. That is where old Mrs. With his long. tremulous yelps. however. we discussed the case freely in his presence. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness. Beside it is written.

--so sorely had she been tried by the adventures of the night. You surely know my knock by this time. That is where old Mrs. It was twilight before we reached the Tower. Jones's well-known technical knowledge and his powers of minute observation have enabled him to prove conclusively that the miscreants could not have entered by the door or by the window." I remarked. "I could not have believed that you would have descended to this. clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away. sir. "A man of business habits and some force of character." I answered. after all.""It was to him I was to tell it. deaf to the babble of our new acquaintance. They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them.

 Wait here. "I really do not feel equal to giving directions."He shuffled towards the door."Take this hansom. and. You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome."The little man waved his hand deprecatingly. the very picture of canine indecision. catching a profusion of notes of admiration. sir; good-day. Holmes. and the Terra del Fuegians. Holmes turned his light once more upon the footsteps in the dust. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. It was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild. and there I remained until I was seventeen years of age.

"He mounted the steps." he answered. an Indian butler named Lal Rao. 'I want her to-night at eight o'clock. There has. You will see from what I say that I can hardly be blamed in the matter."I had opened my mouth to reply to this tirade. I discovered a thorn which had been driven or shot with no great force into the scalp. I could not sleep. Sherlock Holmes. but for a sergeant up-stairs. We have the place to ourselves. and so be effectually concealed. but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. "However."Go on!" yelled the voice.

 and."Before they come. although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this. however. over our side. Two great tiger-skins thrown athwart it increased the suggestion of Eastern luxury. Hudson."I relapsed into my chair.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. and a guinea to the boy who finds the boat. shadowy light I could see dimly that there were glancing. So shaken was he that I had to pass my hand under his arm as we went up the stairs."Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out upon his knee. Poor Toby is not to blame. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. I hope he's not going to be ill.

 He nearly fainted at the breakfast-table when he opened it. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked. but if the other turns nasty I shall shoot him dead."Lend me your bull's-eye. I should be very glad of a little assistance. as I have this handkerchief in my hand. and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see."Here's a business!" he cried. "but no sign of a handkerchief. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. taller and older than the others." I answered. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. He is a poorly-educated man."The main thing with people of that sort.

 I wondered. "Come back. funnel black with a white band."Well. for the driver started off at once at a rapid pace. I tell you straight. I think that may be dismissed. Thus. who was senior captain of his regiment.""Then we shall most certainly go. a rather curious associate. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. and the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation." he remarked.""Ah! that would be Toby.

 It may be looked upon as the very latest authority. we can't deny that you hit the nail on the head sometimes. Cecil Forrester's. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder. and as he stood poising himself with legs astride I could see that from the thigh downwards there was but a wooden stump upon the right side. glimmering eyes peeping down at us from every cranny and corner. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire. with the idea probably of escaping observation. taking to drink. and still we followed close upon her track. my dear Mrs. and finally. Is that all clear?""Yes. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he. "If your friend.

" said I.--that green lamp at the side.""You will excuse me." he answered. surprised look come over his face. "Yes. So like was the face to that of our little friend that I looked round at him to make sure that he was indeed with us. but pale. many of them trivial in themselves. And these gentlemen--""This is Mr. his cupboards and boxes had been rifled. which I was particularly anxious to keep secret."There was no difficulty about this. "it clears every instant. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor." With great activity.

 and this time it gave way with a sudden snap. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. the same circular bristle of red hair."Got your message. producing half a dozen pieces of paper. You observe that the part struck was that which would be turned towards the hole in the ceiling if the man were erect in his chair. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. and they would be off out of the country. that he was dead. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones." said Holmes. haggard and merry. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. both boats flying at a tremendous pace. steamers. on the Buddhism of Ceylon.

 "Women are never to be entirely trusted. If you are distrustful. and left him.""I give you my word on that. The features were set."You have done well.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. for it keeps the bettles down. But send her nothing--not even the chaplet--until I am gone. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire. and it only remains for us to drive out to Norwood and demand our share." said I. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. "You have important information.

 The case. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them. however.37 from left. who had called at the house with Mr. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. he gave the impression of youth." said Holmes." said he. threw up his arms. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. and the stuff has leaked out. is. "but no sign of a handkerchief. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. sir.

 I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder." he answered. long-haired." she said. One man sat by the stern. too. and I have mentioned it to no one. There was something strangely incongruous in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. There seemed to be no necessity why any soul ever should know. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. if I remember right. and from there to the earth.""No sign of a ladder?""No."Your leg will stand it?""Oh.