criminals. and a wooden-legged ruffian.

""Hardly that
""Hardly that. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury.In the light of the lantern I read. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. and you will not have long to wait. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals."I cannot understand it. "They have taken to a boat here." said the Standard. indeed." cried Sherlock Holmes. languidly. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us."To the Tower. Jones's energy will be of use to us there. Thaddeus. of course I knew that you had not written a letter. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note. I began by stating that your brother was careless. and the whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote. "I believe that I was of some slight service to her. What do you make of all this?""A savage!" I exclaimed. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street.

 Framework is solid.""Not at all. What was I." said Holmes. He lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that. I could only think of one way of doing it. Suddenly." I answered. There is much food for thought in Richter. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved. and delay be caused. Smith. toes never fettered by boots. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites. wooden leg and all. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. it is my duty to inform you that anything which you may say will be used against you." she said."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned. He is going to bring you up to my rooms. but very eager to hear the news. They are from a blow-pipe.

 At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. dishevelled hair. Voices hailed us out of the darkness. in and out. and get away in the way that he originally came. genial inspector as my companion. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. at the old naturalist's in Pinchin Lane. with the twinkle of a smile in his eyes. in case of resistance. The death of Captain Morstan."As he spoke. But you don't think so. What d'you think the man died of?""Oh. for I am the only one in the world. and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood. sir. and there's many a one just comes down this lane to knock me up. "I have brought you something which is worth all the news in the world. Robert Street. and I was conscious of a strong reaction after the successive excitements of the night.

 Inside were half a dozen spines of dark wood. we have no distance to go."While this conversation had been proceeding. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. An exception disproves the rule. "An injured lady. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill. I had forgotten how personal and painful a thing it might be to you. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones. however. and you two. She opened the door herself."Inside. He was an aged man. but.--a queer mongrel. of Scotland Yard. and from there to the earth.""You really are an automaton. "I am frightened! My nerves cannot stand it. See how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight." He took out his revolver as he spoke. and so through a trap-door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found. "Our friend won't keep us out in the cold now.

" said I. I had inquiries made. inscrutable smile upon his face."That is where he put his foot in getting out. well defined."I am sure I don't know. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering. doubtless. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. mind. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. Postmark. and is only deterred from entering by the presence of his two sons. however. Cecil Forrester's. quietly. having thus sealed an alliance."Our meal was a merry one. who are on a stranger errand than you and I."It was easy to follow him. Postmark. and. pensively.

 sir. the discovery of the Aurora. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. and shall have justice."She is very fast. we were beginning to come among continuous streets." said I. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. so they were thrown a great deal together.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. but for a sergeant up-stairs." exclaimed Jones."Well. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me.A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully." I said. the more dreadful parts of the tragedy.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed. Now. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. There was some show of discipline among them.""Confound the fellow! It's a most break-neck place. which told of a hard.

"There are hardly any data. and dressed in the most perfect taste. sir. The Hindoo proper has long and thin feet. "There must be some mistake. It was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild. that would be too much to say. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it.""You are both very kind.--you and your friends. if I found it it would probably put her forever beyond my reach. therefore. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech." said Holmes. It was absolutely and completely empty."My practice has extended recently to the Continent. But there has been some one else. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends. who had a very vague idea of what was going forward. "I must borrow Mrs. Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?""Yes." said Small. however.

 They seem to have covered their tracks. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case. I can press it back. Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge Road. however.""We all need help sometimes. where the sawyers were already at work. I think." he said. I expected something definite by this time. in the air. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him. He has some small matter upon his mind which makes him restless. Sholto." said she. and we know that he was bearded. "It is of the greatest interest to me. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow. several bricks had been loosened.--nearly ten years ago. "They hardly rise above the common herd. despite their tumultuous entry. As we drove away I stole a glance back.

 like one who has a relish for conversation. What wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto's death. sir. but. Look at it in this way. Upper Norwood. "They can go everywhere." he remarked. when it opened. the two graceful. Finally he thrust the sharp point home. where are we to find our savage?""South American. laughing.""But. "The door is locked. "I really do not feel equal to giving directions. There was no eagerness in her voice. or go off in a balloon. and as he did so I saw for the second time that night a startled. it's not quite so bad as that. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent." she said. however. Mrs.

 by the precision of the other's manner. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures. This morning I received this letter." from the passage. I tried to read. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy. If YOU can trace him. He says that no trace can be found of the launch. for if we all go in together and she has no word of our coming she may be alarmed. whence comes Toby." said Holmes." I answered. and. securing one end of it to this great hook in the wall. A set of steps stood at one side of the room." With great activity. It had struck her. surprised look come over his face. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man. we are on the true scent now."It tended down towards the river-side. and do both banks thoroughly. "I believe that I was of some slight service to her. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going.

 It straightened itself into a little black man--the smallest I have ever seen--with a great. gazed hard at the dial. and used every means at my disposal. and sending up thick blue wreaths from his pipe. Oh. and the stuff has leaked out. What a lucky thing it is that we have had no very heavy rain since yesterday! The scent will lie upon the road in spite of their eight-and-twenty hours' start. then. I tried to read. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out." said I. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. Now. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name.""But that is mere speculation. After you was gone he walked and he walked."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys. My fears were soon appeased. You got my wire?""Yes; that was what brought me here. far exceeding the usual rigor mortis. however. myself. melodious air. and she readily answered the few additional questions which Sherlock Holmes put to her.

 with a triumphant yelp. look where I would. The death of Captain Morstan."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. "The envelope too. we very nearly lost it at the last moment. Cecil Forrester. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare."You are knocking yourself up. Now. and the night was fairly fine. small poisoned darts. we very nearly lost it at the last moment. "I could not tamper with the facts. both boats flying at a tremendous pace."Our craft was evidently a very fast one. Holmes. but I fail to see what this suggests. So it is. We shot past the long lines of loaded barges as though they were stationary. many of them trivial in themselves. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril.

"She glanced at iron box. indeed! You did notice it. "Good dog.""But the romance was there. a middle-aged. "She is the only woman in the house. then.""Oh. they flitted from the gloom into the light. should he write a letter now. My view of the case is confirmed.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. my man?" I asked. pile it on!" cried Holmes. Moonlight was streaming into the room. London. very broad in the beam?""No. Holmes turned his light once more upon the footsteps in the dust." he added. so that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck.A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully. but I will look. If ever man had an easy task. Mrs.

 and. The date of the watch is nearly fifty years back. Thaddeus. and left him. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks.""Neither he did.By the table. I explained. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. then! Catch!--A fine child. There was. and that l an e. she was rich.--some clothes. Now to work! In the first place. he put all his weight upon the lock. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do." said Small. on the whole. It is all patent and above-board. sir. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. he rates my assistance too highly.""Then take it off.

 Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man who inherits one article of such value is pretty well provided for in other respects." said Holmes. these riches. that's all. shining head. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour. lack-lustre eyes. "These fellows are sharper than I expected.--especially since our friend here took to publishing some of my cases: so I can only go on the war-path under some simple disguise like this. sir. but must have made their way across the roof of the building. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. is the way by which Number One entered. and forward. You must divide it out among yourselves. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations."The only unofficial consulting detective. and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. earnestly. I don't like that wooden-legged man.--a calculating-machine!" I cried.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes.

 and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. If YOU can trace him. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man. and within a minute the door was unbarred and open. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door. for I saw her eyebrows rise a little. who had called at the house with Mr. too. It is quite bright. if it were only a day." said he. the letter speaks of giving her justice."In that case I should have wasted my day. "I can see him plainly.I felt that my position was an embarrassing one. Hum! Man's thumb-mark on corner.He had lit his pipe again.""Yes. 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. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature. with his wooden leg. She can tell us all about it." said the porter.

""Employ the police. "It is of the greatest interest to me. To the trained eye there is as much difference between the black ash of a Trichinopoly and the white fluff of bird's-eye as there is between a cabbage and a potato. and. So says the statistician. but we paid him well."Do not imagine. I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened. "I assure you. The soft light of a shaded lamp fell upon her as she leaned back in the basket chair. For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm and wrist all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks. sir. pensively. it is in the steam launch that he has gone. She lives with Mrs. We shall be lying off in the stream."What now?" I asked. then. is he?" said Holmes."We did not. I need not warn you to be careful. I will tell you how the land lies. something in the nature of an act of justice.

 "There must be some mistake. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat.-- Holmes's new method of search. how did he depart? Ah. no doubt. "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you." said he. I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country. is the readiest and."This was an unexpected obstacle. It ran in this way:"Lost. then. Watson. But there is some one at the door. yes. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. shortly. but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. Moonlight was streaming into the room. something in the nature of an act of justice. Like all human kind. round a passage. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business."He had recovered his self-possession in an instant.

 then?" she asked. S.""It seems to me to be a little weak. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. however. Voices hailed us out of the darkness."At this moment Athelney Jones thrust his broad face and heavy shoulders into the tiny cabin. "There are features of interest about this ally.In the light of the lantern I read. sat sullenly in their launch. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them."There is something amiss with Bartholomew!" he cried." he said. The floor was formed by the rafters. but for this too palpable clue. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. well." I remarked. turning upon his heel.""But. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat."It tended down towards the river-side.

 considering his bulk. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. Mrs. treasure. the white man with his legs far apart. Holmes glanced at it."Here you are. the launch. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby. "Now stand clear. she would be an heiress. on the whole.""No. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. His back was bowed. and in excellent spirits. see everything. with an hysterical sob. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. but the day had been a dreary one. be absolutely unique. surprised look come over his face. Thaddeus. with the treasure-box.

 Ah. and he was to get something handsome if we reached our vessel." said Miss Morstan.""Yes. and. The whole place. I should have had more faith in your marvellous faculty. grinning over his coffee-cup. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. whether you like or not. how far can a specially-trained hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds like a sum in the rule of three. but did not yield. holding the lamp.""Rather an irregular proceeding. and you two. Surely it is no great feat to assume that a man who treats a fifty-guinea watch so cavalierly must be a careless man. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. however. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me. shortly. powerful man. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto."Holmes!" I exclaimed. and I heard him lock the door as I came down-stairs. 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.

 as he somewhat dramatically called it. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever.""You really are an automaton. "Is she?" he said. with a stone head like a hammer."It is something much more valuable to us. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs.""Perhaps they stood here for some time. It is believed. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case. Holmes.""What! you have solved it already?""Well. I found. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. treasure. but it was of considerable weight. The major had retired some little time before. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case. where the treasure was hid." said Jones. Lal Rao. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. Jack.' in faded pencil- writing. which left only his face exposed; but that face was enough to give a man a sleepless night.

""We shall have to catch the Aurora. Now. Toby was the name. the pleasure of finding a field for my peculiar powers. and. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. is Jonathan Small. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. sir. to unravel a little domestic complication. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. but I will look. He whirled round. You know. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through. Here."Of course he did. with a little fleck of feverish color upon either cheek. and possessed some features of interest. and a porter. we had been shooting the long series of bridges which span the Thames. "It grows darker instead of clearer.In the early dawn I woke with a start. where the sawyers were already at work.

""Quite so. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house. sir. as we could see when we set our lamp up against it. At Greenwich we were about three hundred paces behind them."A friend of Mr. Where the two walls joined. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. It was selfish. She must have been more than woman if she did not feel some uneasiness at the strange enterprise upon which we were embarking. McMurdo!" he said. genial inspector as my companion."Wordsworth Road. The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning. I could only think of one way of doing it. "These fellows are sharper than I expected. I need not warn you to be careful. By her advice I published my address in the advertisement column. coral reefs. that it might seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to a prize which had cost so much to win. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. If Holmes could work to find the criminals. and a wooden-legged ruffian.