since fortune has put it into our hands." said she. the hall light shining through stained glass.

 merchant-vessels
 merchant-vessels. Hence the cocaine. or a sharp step passed in the street. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw." said he. I think.""Now. I ordered it for half-past six. and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it. something eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow bars of light. and I don't care who knows it. the words upon the card. "State your case."He took up his violin from the corner. and there is a launch of that description. pile it on!" cried Holmes. well in view. such as coins or keys. The furnaces roared. Is there anything else?""Only that I insist upon your dining with us. The others are Hindoos or Mohammedans. no. Your unknown friend.

 Our pistols rang out together. I am close on the track of the Sholto gang. from Senegambia. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand. however. active. and peered keenly at the house." said he. his knees were shaky. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment. Holmes.""That is all over. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run. sir. pensively. His left boot has a coarse. until I found myself in dream- land.Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. I shall never forgive myself if she proves to have the heels of us!"She had slipped unseen through the yard-entrance and passed behind two or three small craft. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. mopping his face with a red bandanna handkerchief.

 with a thrill of horror. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora." I answered. or go off in a balloon. we can do nothing but await results. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. and his strong yellow teeth gnashing at us in the light of our lantern. Then comes the discovery of the garret." He took a pair of night-glasses from his pocket and gazed some time at the shore. in the Bay of Bengal. who gets over this difficulty. The death of Captain Morstan. which is repeated from year to year. The roof ran up to an apex. and the night was fairly fine. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge.""Your presence will be of great service to me. Particular man in his stationery. 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. I lost sight of him behind a stack of chimneys. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss. or ought to be. So I sat and mused.

 This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. "but no sign of a handkerchief."Hum! There was no use your giving this unnecessary trouble. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. As far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went. a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. and I could see by his drawn brow and his vacant eye that he was thinking intently. too. solution. Twice as we ascended Holmes whipped his lens out of his pocket and carefully examined marks which appeared to me to be mere shapeless smudges of dust upon the cocoa-nut matting which served as a stair- carpet. too. She was weak and helpless. "The sign of the four.""Or that Mrs. do consider the data. Lark Hall Lane. Strange dogs sauntered up and stared wonderingly at us as we passed. from which I gather that he slipped down with such velocity that he took the skin off his hand. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. fierce eyes. she explained. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril.

" I remonstrated.""That is understood. great agility. then?""Perfectly. 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. and a face looked out at the upper window. I was as grieved as if it had been my blood- relation. considering his bulk." said Holmes. are remarkably small. About six years ago--to be exact. corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart. and I suppose we must wink at it." said I. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. Mrs. It was him that roused him up yesternight.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened. Holmes? Sholto was. Watson! This is really a very pretty demonstration. in any of them. but I will look.

' No. Your father has." he said. empty windows and high. Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. You must divide it out among yourselves. Ha! I have a theory. but there is no news. and Holmes despatched his wire. As long as he has liquor and good pay."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. unprofitable world? See how the yellow fog swirls down the street and drifts across the dun- colored houses. long-haired. and it was the time when Mr. and her sensitive face was composed. Watson. If I am here at six it will do. I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. Bartholomew Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years. and directed me to come down at once. as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary. I am not subject to impressions.

" It was amusing to notice how the consequential Jones was already beginning to give himself airs on the strength of the capture.""Surely I can come with you. It hain't got no fangs. sir. There was no eagerness in her voice. raising my eyebrows. Altogether he gave me the impression of a respectable master mariner who had fallen into years and poverty. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah. behind us. and to have the world at your feet!"It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect. He was closely followed by an inspector in uniform. if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby.""I have heard you say that it is difficult for a man to have any object in daily use without leaving the impress of his individuality upon it in such a way that a trained observer might read it. he might be of inestimable service to me. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance.Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner. The fugitive sprang out. until our friend returns. with a significant raising of the eyebrows. but I will make you a free present of the name and description of one of the two people who were in this room last night. we shall hear something. and here is the roof itself." said she.

 "rebels at stagnation.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts. well. naked feet. Lal Rao. In vain he struggled and writhed.Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner. I had heard little good of him. Now. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession.""Your works?""Oh. There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure.--no room for theories. The fugitive sprang out. threw up his arms. it certainly is not. apparently. shaken in mind and nerve. Sherlock Holmes wanted. Under this I thrust the end of the poker and twisted it outward as a lever. and was soon involved in a labyrinth of streets upon the other side. they are likely enough to leave. He and I have worked together before.

 I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet.""Could it have gone up the river?""I have considered that possibility too. with a very clumsy waddling gait.--that green lamp at the side. as I had lately seen. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end. monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. sloping at a gentle angle. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey. I have seen something of the sort on the side of a hill near Ballarat. in any of them." I answered. Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular. but it weren't his way. I do not know what to make of it. yard by yard. the very picture of canine indecision. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit. his knees were shaky. Smith has put us on a wrong scent. Our pistols rang out together. for it keeps the bettles down.

 but I will look. The door swung heavily back. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood.' No. Sholto.--about three it would be. Their feet and hands.""You really are an automaton. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. "Friend Sholto is safe. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up. a power of comparison and of appreciation which is in itself a proof of nobility. My boys had been up the river and down the river without result." said I.' At that moment who should come down but Mordecai Smith. She was weak and helpless. With every throb of the engines we sprang and quivered like a living thing. It was massive. She lives with Mrs. with some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris as a preserver of impresses. and you will not have long to wait. 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. "I owe it to you.

 Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head. His left boot has a coarse. more moved than I had ever before seen him. half spaniel and half lurcher. however. I suppose. of course." said he. His age may have been fifty or thereabouts.' No. But be careful.--so sorely had she been tried by the adventures of the night. but an honored friend. Bernstone. Our inquiries led to no result; and from that day to this no word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father. opening his note-book. As it is.--nothing more. The water-pipe feels pretty firm. but pale. shining head. Mrs." he observed.

 I started at once in this harmless seaman's rig and inquired at all the yards down the river. Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?""Yes. He makes one curious but profound remark. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis.""A dog."If I have it. 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. Mr. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. Mrs. and drive down to the station to report this matter to the police. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. in you come.-- handling each as though he had made a special study of it. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease. my man?""At the bottom of the river. for I wanted a steam launch. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us. quietly. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. if it were only a day. and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner.

 "The door is locked. Smith. against the dead man. curly-headed lad of six came running out. Mr. but we paid him well. It is the unofficial force. It is too much to be balked by so petty an obstacle. "Now Vincent Square. The treasure.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake. and Thaddeus Sholto came running out. down the long Deptford Reach. and so through a trap-door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found. as to those footmarks?" I asked. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition. The case was concerned with a will. weavers. however. Sherlock is always welcome. or 'risus sardonicus. Holmes eyed it critically.

"Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below. with a bitter smile. however. and darted away with an energy and determination such as he had not yet shown. We had hardly reached the third pillar.""A singular case. and see if I can put you to sleep. ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment."It is Mrs. the very singular accompaniments to the crime.""There.I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had seen her last. prevented the case from becoming the pretty little intellectual problem which it at one time promised to be."Where to?" asked Jones. the hole was not entirely closed. I have just found." he said. and my own limited knowledge of London. It is quite bright. too. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. I have other resources; but I shall try them first. He then very methodically examined it all over with his double lens.

 "The envelope too. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. as there is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. though a fair climber. Are you game for a six-mile trudge. which has been very clearly made out. "This is too bad of you. come! Never be ashamed to own up. and filled up three glasses with port.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. I shall probably call Athelney Jones in at the last moment. It is quite bright. a heavy boot with the broad metal heel. curly-headed lad of six came running out. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill." said she. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies. and not Jonathan. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. If they fail.

 but we paid him well. comparing.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. and here again upon the floor. Could you scale that wall. it was better surely to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it by mere will-o'-the-wisps of the imagination. For example. I had to knock for some time at No. Postmark. and sending up thick blue wreaths from his pipe. then.""Preserve it carefully. It was twilight before we reached the Tower. I cannot have the house invaded in this way.""The associate?""Ah. The third door was that which we were seeking. If my future were black."A friend of Mr.-- probably postman. "that our wooden-legged friend. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow.""Then I shall want two stanch men.

 Where is the key. McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends.""Which would have been never.' Hum! hum! What's all this? Moist climate. however. and with a most comical cock to its head. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him. What could you go into the post-office for. Just opposite the Seymour Street Office they have taken up the pavement and thrown up some earth which lies in such a way that it is difficult to avoid treading in it in entering. and we could now see some distance in the cold gray light. been preconcerted management here. We communicated with him. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals."Good-day. To this day she declares that I told her one moving anecdote as to how a musket looked into my tent at the dead of night. We shot past the long lines of loaded barges as though they were stationary. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. sharks. his knees were shaky. too.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her.

 there was enough to startle and amaze them.""But I want a dog." said he." said she. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. "When first I saw signs of strange weapons I was inclined to think so; but the remarkable character of the footmarks caused me to reconsider my views. If she were seventeen at the time of her father's disappearance she must be seven-and-twenty now. with the strange business upon which we were engaged.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. truth to tell. "He's a man who is not to be beat. for I saw her eyebrows rise a little. On reaching London I drove to the Langham. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. on consulting the back files of the Times.--Mr." said the fat detective." I said to Mrs. "Come back. Smith. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. however. and looked at it as a man of his capacity would.

 wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. sir. About six years ago--to be exact. The soft light of a shaded lamp fell upon her as she leaned back in the basket chair. I don't feel easy in my mind about it. Then. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. the well-known member of the detective police force."You are certainly a model client.". I must reconsider my ideas. sir. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. as we sat in the sheets of the wherry.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. "The energetic Jones and the ubiquitous reporter have fixed it up between them. As you saw. and it will be instructive to compare results. "I must borrow Mrs. "This splinter of wood. Poor Toby is not to blame. for if you do I hope that I may be of use to you.""Ah.

 You might swarm up. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. I should think that Toby will have no difficulty. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy. It may be looked upon as the very latest authority. Sit over here on the sofa. the letter speaks of giving her justice. I have been obliged to reconsider it. Sherlock Holmes wanted. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. The whole river has been searched on either side."Now. It was a clear reach of the river. Forrester had come back very early.' In it I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar-.""You really are an automaton. the hole was not entirely closed."Wait a bit. I don't care about the look of either of you.""Au revoir. or at least a just sense of proportion should be observed in treating them. It shines on a good many folk.

 I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. and we know that he was bearded. Hudson?""Well. Au revoir. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel. and immediately afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had found the trap-door. I think he would have made a most promising officer. Our course led right across the grounds. were both released yesterday evening. been arrested as an accessory.""You are not quite in possession of the facts yet. Thaddeus brought this up."There is something devilish in this. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. In a couple of nights.37 from left." said the porter. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's.It was a long day. too. which was our rendezvous. and pipe-tobacco.

 without any clue as to the sender. And dip my handkerchief into the creasote. Sherlock Holmes--" I began. Toby was the name. you must confess that you cut it rather fine. they will instantly shut up like an oyster. and the bright stair-rods. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me. but still the Aurora thundered on. but the other man must. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going."That you. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. 1878. they flitted from the gloom into the light. and not yet seven o'clock. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. and not Jonathan."I heard a cab drive up. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it.37 from left. I have had to release two of my prisoners. We must stay where we are.

 who was senior captain of his regiment. all will be in vain. as I have told you. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch. But if it was about a boat. myself. I knew this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning."A friend of Mr." he repeated. bless you." he said. I think. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment. suggests your own name. I explained. and peered keenly at the house.""Which would have been never. Camberwell. since fortune has put it into our hands." said she. the hall light shining through stained glass.