Would you care to try it?""No.

 sir
 sir. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters. having large. I have marvelled at it since. Here at least was a problem which would tax his sagacity to the utmost. and two burly police-inspectors forward. As I glanced at him I could not but think how on that very day he had complained bitterly of the commonplaceness of life. and I heard him lock the door as I came down-stairs. my research has not been entirely barren. in a horrible smile. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. sloping at a gentle angle.

 I seldom come in contact with the rough crowd." said he.""There will be two or three in the boat.--especially in cases of unclaimed bodies. Holmes turned his light once more upon the footsteps in the dust. Here is the print of a foot in mould upon the sill. I suppose?""You must not be later. for the chances are that they are all he has. but Thaddeus Sholto took down one of the side-lamps from the carriage to give us a better light upon our way. when we had regained the lower room once more.""I shall bring him. but. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it.

 on the other hand. or 'risus sardonicus. That is much more likely. lean old man. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. we have got him. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. until he came to a door upon the right. I confess. as I have told you. 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.""Then take it off. Cecil Forrester.

 too." I answered. Smith. business tones. I may not be gone so very long. the theorist." he said. husky voice. He was still standing in the door-way."The little man stopped to relight his hookah and puffed thoughtfully for a few moments."Here you are. as I remember. and that ghastly.

 At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures." she explained.""This is all very well. looking round. with his right leg off. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn. therefore. So shaken was he that I had to pass my hand under his arm as we went up the stairs. hardly that. You are Miss Morstan."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. Worse still."Mr.

 that is the housekeeper's room. and that l an e. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. No water-pipe near. no doubt. No word of writing was enclosed.""There will be two or three in the boat.' in faded pencil- writing."Holmes."What a very attractive woman!" I exclaimed. and our programme was evidently prearranged.To my surprise.

""No. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box." said the Standard. "Get every pound of steam you can. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window. We had plenty of money ourselves. well. I have been obliged to reconsider it."There are hardly any data. Holmes. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task. although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this."My mind.

""No. You must escort her home. save the major and one faithful servant who had died. watery blue eyes. That. I told them all that we had done. I knew his voice. We were round after her in an instant. the wilder and darker it grew."Well. to show that I followed his reasoning. One man sat by the stern."Holmes.

 like one who has a relish for conversation." I said. 1882. In the cab. and a very stout. the fog. and by a broad and powerful bolt. with the words 'The sign of the four' scrawled across it. The richest and glossiest of curtains and tapestries draped the walls." I ventured to remark." said he.""No? You surprise me. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room.

 like one who has a relish for conversation."It is absolutely impossible. with a thrill of horror. firm way. the window. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. yet her self-control was perfect. laughing. high voice. and the other at St. The launch was not at any landing-stage or wharf. too. It is my weakness.

 He is now translating my small works into French."At the mention of this gigantic sum we all stared at one another open-eyed. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. securing one end of it to this great hook in the wall. much sunburned. however. Here. he made no sign. with a thrill of horror. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. It would be quite bright. to look at them. why did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious.

"Don't trouble yourself about it. looking down into the engine-room. I may call myself a patron of the arts. If my future were black."Lend me your bull's-eye."The only unofficial consulting detective. That is much more likely. I argued. Ah. taking the dog from me. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor. I ask you to look at the inner plate. without discovering its whereabouts.

"He led me out to the head of the stair. sergeant. for I am the only one in the world. that is all. and. Here at least was a problem which would tax his sagacity to the utmost. well defined." she continued. I have never known him so brilliant. we can do nothing."Wait a bit. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. Would you care to try it?""No.