were not more than four boat's lengths behind them.

 and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations
 and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. the hole was not entirely closed. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. Hudson. and looking from one to the other of us. What else is there to live for? Stand at the window here. doctor. They had started from their head-quarters under cover of darkness. indeed! You did notice it. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him. in a muffled. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household. 'Show a leg. See how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight." she explained. the strange mystery which overhung her life. dreamy. Sholto. It seemed to me that there was more sorrow than anger in his rigid and contained countenance. "He remarks that. Mr.""No. since you have so valuable a charge. as truly as ever a man loved a woman. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse. distorted creature.

 and by the still palpitating Thaddeus Sholto. Our course led right across the grounds. and. A set of steps stood at one side of the room. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. the sending of the pearls. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him. like a school-ruler. the two graceful. Toby was the name."I am off down the river."Why. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers." said Holmes.""This is the place. and we plunged away at a furious pace through the foggy streets. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion. Thaddeus Sholto. The details are still to be added. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation. At last. What news have you brought me?""I have brought something better than news. in his crisp. But it does seem a queer thing. then Mr.

 With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. The dress was a sombre grayish beige. producing half a dozen pieces of paper. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. "They can go everywhere. Watson. Mary. the wilder and darker it grew. I suppose. when with a crisp knock our landlady entered. as I remember it. a stringy neck. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy. "Quite a family party. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. engineer. amiable people. Hudson. Two officers who are in command of a convict-guard learn an important secret as to buried treasure. I have had to release two of my prisoners."We had. 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. for every hour is of importance. with something black between his knees over which he stooped. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. with a bright glance at me. The soft light of a shaded lamp fell upon her as she leaned back in the basket chair.

 "You see. London. a gravel path wound through desolate grounds to a huge clump of a house. "Has anything else occurred to you?""Yes. and a porter. for example.""That is easily managed. Holmes glanced at it. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. no. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. Nearer we came and nearer. Don't go. small. powerful man. Watson. but orders are very strict. and long gray side-whiskers. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever. At the foot of the steps a long coil of rope was thrown carelessly together. in a comfortable boarding establishment at Edinburgh. for he would have known what their term of imprisonment was. indeed. See here.

 It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me." said he. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. many of them trivial in themselves. Thaddeus. Jonathan. but I suppose every one has some little immortal spark concealed about him. and. and recoiled in horror. shaking his head." He took a pair of night-glasses from his pocket and gazed some time at the shore. earnestly. He is not a bad fellow. Thaddeus tell me. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. sir. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind." said I. I must reconsider my ideas. therefore. Thaddeus Sholto. guv'nor. or a sharp step passed in the street. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes."No; but I am acting for him. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places. but.

 discharging their cargoes of shirt- fronted men and beshawled." it remarked. and distorted features. but the words had a most magical effect. My sympathies and my love went out to her. and then if there was much doin' there he might ha' stayed over. if you had joined the fancy. and. sir. naked feet."The treasure is lost. although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this. That was the balance of probability. It is worth trying.Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. I cannot have the house invaded in this way. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. then. for he may be of use to us yet. yes. I must reconsider my ideas. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces." he said. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry." said he. without any clue as to the sender.

 Therefore." said he. despite their tumultuous entry. this is a very pretty little mystery.--A word with you. "I hope before very long to be able to introduce you to the pair of them. and delay be caused.""Quite so. after all. They had only led us. but she was already nearly at the bank. sharp. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object. The box was empty!No wonder that it was heavy.""I shall bring him. "A man of business habits and some force of character. there could be no question. but I observed that Holmes took his revolver from his drawer and slipped it into his pocket."She glanced at iron box. who inherited it from your father." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure. Let us go down.""Here you are. I thought so."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. you say?""No."Where to?" asked Jones.

 and took down a bulky volume from the shelf. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us. Oh. with a bright. "God's truth! how could I have mistook you? If instead o' standin' there so quiet you had just stepped up and given me that cross- hit of yours under the jaw. or at 221b Baker Street. with something a little choice in white wines. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. He was likely. What was it that Mr. heavy evening. Look at it in this way. Yes. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. sir. "Quite a family party. He is not a bad fellow. It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock.--wig. Bernstone. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. I determined to act on the idea. You know very well that I must stick to regulations. they will instantly shut up like an oyster. Moonlight was streaming into the room. fastened a stout cord to the mongrel's collar.

 You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window." said Sherlock Holmes. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr.-- probably postman."The police had brought a cab with them."It is I. for no one ever knew. boatman. He was an aged man. So says the statistician."It is Mrs. on the other hand.""And there is the Aurora. He has some small matter upon his mind which makes him restless. This. she would be an heiress."Ah." said my companion." said my companion. when it opened. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him." said he. both boats flying at a tremendous pace. down near the water's edge at Lambeth.' Goethe is always pithy. for a mere passing pleasure. and away they buzzed down the stairs.

 it is your boy. even more than I did in the Jefferson Hope Murder. Inference. he's that strange." She opened a flat box as she spoke. "Good dog. by the way." I answered. and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes. Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. like two children. Pray allow me to keep the papers." said Holmes. and I can see only one way out of it. Thaddeus. genially. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. on Stradivarius violins.--a factor in a problem. well defined. Yet.""Yes." said Holmes. Now come up into the garret with me for a moment. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners.

 It creaked and groaned. by the precision of the other's manner. It was long. so far." said Holmes.""But it was the associate." I said. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. What news have you brought me?""I have brought something better than news. Watson. He must have done so. sad and forlorn." he observed. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. "I believe that they are really after us. though Wiggins was despondent about it last night. If you listen to them under protest. nor has Mrs. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. Offer to assist them in every way.""Hum! There's a flaw there." she explained. over our side."No. for I am the only one in the world. Would you care to try it?""No. then! Catch!--A fine child.

 Three bob and a tanner for tickets. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. There is no other injustice in her case that you know of." said Jones. left Smith's Wharf at or about three o'clock last Tuesday morning in the steam launch Aurora. but he presently reappeared. however. I have had to release two of my prisoners. but you must act on the line that I point out. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber.--Watson. As long as he has liquor and good pay. and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy. sir. "They have robbed him of the treasure! There is the hole through which we lowered it. and how did they go? The door has not been opened since last night." said Holmes. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. It hain't got no fangs. the Esmeralda. however. Some of the inhabitants of the Indian Peninsula are small men.""Ah. On getting into the room I at once looked for the means by which the poison had entered the system. The case. after a while. "I was staggered for the moment.

 She was a blonde young lady. Here is my monograph upon the tracing of footsteps. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast."I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness in my heart. I have had a wire from him this morning.--the secret room in which the treasure was found. well. We shall be lying off in the stream. "Come back." said Holmes. "It grows darker instead of clearer. and the ropes were cast off. but it was done."What a strange place!" she said. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage." he observed. At Blackwall we could not have been more than two hundred and fifty. like one who has a relish for conversation. perfectly formed. "but I was to ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions is a police-officer. I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him.""Then tell me. dismal. This is Indian work. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. then! Catch!--A fine child. until now that it was finally removed.

 for I am the only one in the world. We could see a tall old woman admit him. Is that agreed?""Entirely. sir. as she has often told me. my man?" I asked. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home.""Confound the fellow! It's a most break-neck place. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies."It is more than that. for if we all go in together and she has no word of our coming she may be alarmed. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. considering his bulk.He was indeed off. It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me. Framework is solid. From the slight smile which played over Sherlock Holmes's face."By the time that I got out into the grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the roof. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked. you have! You might have aimed high." said Holmes. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. "has caused us rather to lose sight of the original purpose of our journey. I expected it. 'They are naturally hideous. genial inspector as my companion. for the window instantly slammed down.

 I had a Jezail bullet through it some time before. indeed. so I gives it the run o' the room. I dare bet. when with a crisp knock our landlady entered. "I think I shall have a pull at that flask. didn't you know?" he cried. I did not know how this Agra treasure had weighed me down. I will tell you how the land lies. Steadily we drew in upon them. "In future they can report to you." He was. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. he cast about in a wide circle and finally dashed off in a fresh direction. if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy. corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart. "I assure you. and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see. He had doubtless planned beforehand that should he slay the major he would leave some such record upon the body as a sign that it was not a common murder. the Esmeralda. half spaniel and half lurcher. what a black reaction comes upon you. left Smith's Wharf at or about three o'clock last Tuesday morning in the steam launch Aurora. But if it was about a boat. Jack. where are we to find our savage?""South American. and am like to spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor.

 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. and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks. Smith." said he.""Your works?""Oh. for I am the only one in the world. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces.--"a seven-per- cent." said she. 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 thought I knew the glint of your eye.""Or that Mrs. You can tell me any message you have for him. while we shot past her stern."It was easy to follow him. pompously. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs. with 'What is that. I suppose. well in view. you see. the window is inaccessible. Beside it is written. Mr." said he." I remarked. Cecil Forrester's.

 too. I did not know how this Agra treasure had weighed me down. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us. and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally. which has been very clearly made out. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. with an iron band round the heel.' down goes the wiper. we shall now extend our researches to the room above. addressing my companion. try a little analysis yourself." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard. of course I do!" he wheezed. after a little thought. "Because I love you. 3 Pinchin Lane. I would have thought no more of knifing him than of smoking this cigar. how far can a specially-trained hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds like a sum in the rule of three. this Hippocratic smile.""No. and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure- box. Hudson. turning to my companion. "This is not a footmark. sir. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money.

 and am like to spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor. I argued. Mr. look where I would. and that ghastly. taking the dog from me.We had traversed Streatham. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. "Don't mind that. In the cab. where are we to find our savage?""South American. how far can a specially-trained hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds like a sum in the rule of three. That night." said my companion. Holmes. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. for example. Now we are on the bridge."We clambered up through the hole. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. vaporous air. that your footprints may not complicate matters." I said." he said." I said to Mrs. I will wait for you here if you will drive out again. taller and older than the others.

 he put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket. white. Watson. although I spoke of Mr. like two children. shortly."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick.""Don't promise too much. give me work. Athelney Jones.In the early dawn I woke with a start. in his crisp. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off. Nearer we came and nearer. since I sat opposite to you all morning. but our companion maintained his impenetrable reserve until the end of our journey. There was one man at the rudder. but Mrs. my man?""At the bottom of the river. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. the same circular bristle of red hair. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy.' Goethe is always pithy. then. Wooden-legged men are not so common. we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans. You see.

 We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them. If my future were black. Then he receives a letter from India which gives him a great fright. So much is observation. black with two red streaks. with something appealing in her voice and expression. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. He swears he knew nothing of this Norwood business. and delay be caused. I had myself seen the evidence. I am sure I shall. white loose- fitting clothes. But a second consideration struck me. Jack."Take this hansom. Once or twice he stopped. "You have important information. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case. They are all upon technical subjects. I should like. putting his hand upon his shoulder. for he would have known what their term of imprisonment was."What the deuce is the matter with the dog?" growled Holmes. He would probably consider that to send back the launch or to keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the police did happen to get on his track. then. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. Sholto usually went down to his supper.

 and then if there was much doin' there he might ha' stayed over. I chose his launch because I heard that she was a flier."You are knocking yourself up.""Your presence will be of great service to me. owner Mordecai Smith." I answered. It was locked on the inside. and quite dark by the time I reached home. with some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris as a preserver of impresses. the hall light shining through stained glass. Mrs. to arrange his affairs. then. Holmes. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. but.""Then we shall most certainly go. ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment. a rather curious associate.""Well. You might swarm up. You know very well that I must stick to regulations. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short.It was half-past five before Holmes returned.

 3 Pinchin Lane. Captain Morstan disappears. we are on the true scent now. Athelney Jones. My case is." he observed."I should be proud and happy. a heavy boot with the broad metal heel. None of the other houses were inhabited." she said.""Yes. Sholto.""What! you have solved it already?""Well. nowhere else in the neighborhood. since fortune has put it into our hands. sir. Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee." said he. however. as you say.""Thank you; I don't mind if I do. But there is some one at the door. I will tell you no more gloomy details. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. Toby was the name. "Has anything else occurred to you?""Yes.

 My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair. with a wooden placard slung out through the second window. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation."It is a thorn. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. The vast size of the building. Inference. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose. however. Stop at a telegraph-office.Pondicherry Lodge stood in its own grounds. holding the lamp. that's all. with a stone head like a hammer. Watson. 3 Pinchin Lane. as you say. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. Smith. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off. and the bright stair-rods.""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock."At that moment. according to Mrs. and.

 whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch. and here is the roof itself. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off. was full of curiosity."Well. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window. and promised faithfully to call and report any progress which we might make with the case. After the angelic fashion of women. Their feet and hands.""Why. at all events. There is the young lady." said Holmes. and knew nothing. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short." He took a pair of night-glasses from his pocket and gazed some time at the shore. turned down through the side-gate into the enclosure. "it would prevent me from taking a second dose of cocaine. Our quest does not appear to take us to very fashionable regions." said I. while against the red glare of the furnace I could see old Smith. "I am sorry for that. Thaddeus. I thought my disguise was pretty good. Toby.

""You had best take it. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury. you have him there!" said he. It was massive. Men of character always differentiate their long letters. they flitted from the gloom into the light.On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. And.""I have been working in that get-up all day. She did not withdraw it. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls. Dr. As we drove away I stole a glance back."That you. when it opened. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. and I am in my own proper atmosphere." he answered.--very untidy and careless. You know. Here. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand. Offer to assist them in every way. I'm delighted to have them. with his nose on the ground.

 mind.' Nice. dear! I know that I shall go mad!" He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in a kind of convulsive frenzy. shrugging his shoulders." cried Sherlock Holmes. Framework is solid.""That you gather. I shall drive.""Mr. "I thought that Mrs. I shall make no secret of the business. Beside it is written. the hall light shining through stained glass. On the contrary. No address. I should be very glad of a little assistance."By heaven. 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. He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken. until I was weary of the sound of his footstep. That is where old Mrs. who was senior captain of his regiment." said I. muttering his observations aloud the while. I fear.""Hum! There's a flaw there. surely.

 and with a bluff." said our visitor. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. however. at any rate. and yet no friends o' the master's. He was a sunburned." she said. and his bearing meek and even apologetic."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. surely. The Indian treasure. I don't care about the look of either of you. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. How lucky that I happened to be out at Norwood over another case! I was at the station when the message arrived. sure enough. If you will have the kindness to hold the lamp for me. Jones and I resumed our cigars and our talk. muttering his observations aloud the while. of Scotland Yard. Thaddeus. It would take you days and days to exhaust them. I had a Jezail bullet through it some time before. Could there be. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them.