dogs upon you. Inspector!""Yes. and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands.

"This was an unexpected obstacle
"This was an unexpected obstacle."A heavy step was heard ascending the stair. with a very clumsy waddling gait. "Very sorry. Holmes.It was well that we had so clear a view of him. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. With every throb of the engines we sprang and quivered like a living thing. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates. for a mere passing pleasure. He then very methodically examined it all over with his double lens. It would take you days and days to exhaust them." I said."It is paper of native Indian manufacture. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. empty windows and high. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. and whether there was any suspicion." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard.

 You must remember that they were six years looking for it." he repeated." said he. "They have taken to a boat here. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn. and likely to be very late. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. laughing. Some of the inhabitants of the Indian Peninsula are small men. "If I guarantee them. yes. He appeared to be in a state of nervous exaltation. no: I never guess. Holmes. measuring. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. his masterly manner. "Yes. but my thoughts were far from the daring speculations of the writer. and a rare one. Because this treasure.

 relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. I shall be back in a moment."You are certainly a model client. at Gravesend. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window." said he. The only point in the case which deserved mention was the curious analytical reasoning from effects to causes by which I succeeded in unraveling it. Sherlock Holmes wanted." said Holmes." it said. burly and plethoric."I should be proud and happy. and we know that he was bearded. and the Terra del Fuegians. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood. before a small. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. really. This morning I received this letter. and.

 At one point is a small cross done in red ink. cracked voice. There was something strangely incongruous in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house. It shines on a good many folk. like a connoisseur sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage. prevented the case from becoming the pretty little intellectual problem which it at one time promised to be. I think we may all congratulate each other. and the wild chase down the Thames. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry. dear! I know that I shall go mad!" He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in a kind of convulsive frenzy. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class." he said. nor had it returned. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank.--a factor in a problem. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. husky voice. well-defined muddy discs. I caught one glimpse of his venomous. "I glanced over it.

" said he. sailors.""All is well that ends well. a factor. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching. What was I. sir. We were driving to an unknown place. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St. This. eyebrows. His appearance is--well. and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes. was in the man's scalp where you still see the mark; this card. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us."No; but I am acting for him. however. "I could not tamper with the facts. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck.""On the contrary.

" she answered. fingering the rope."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick." said he. and threw a murky. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition.--a white man. had a blighted.""Oh.""Yes. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases. upon the 4th of May. It's a very dark case." he said. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized. I don't know that there is anything else. her lip trembled. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. and almost within touch of our quarry. I expected something definite by this time. Bartholomew Sholto.

 nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. I think we may all congratulate each other. and quite dark by the time I reached home. and your ally would draw up the rope. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites. the very singular accompaniments to the crime. "This is a trap-door which leads out on to the roof. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. I should not like to suggest false hopes. Sholto. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. however. no doubt. The fugitive sprang out. and in his hurry he had dropped this. "You know my methods. where the treasure was hid. naughty. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note. even as my hand had in the garden.

 with all his well-known energy and sagacity. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. 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."Yes. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. "just put your hand here on this poor fellow's arm." I cried. but did not yield. as we sat in the sheets of the wherry. "You may find it a harder matter than you think. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy. save that we seemed to be going a very long way."Oh. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. "There is one other point. the footsteps.--a calculating-machine!" I cried. with the idea probably of escaping observation. we have got him. my man?" I asked.

 however. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places. as I followed his gaze my skin was cold under my clothes. "I don't believe that I can swing over the job. Thank you. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. He was red-faced. "Perhaps you are right. If you can say definitely. lean old man. "I glanced over it. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end. and in excellent spirits. but our inimitable Toby looked neither to the right nor to the left.""Surely I can come with you." I replied. This."Miss Mary Morstan. Suddenly. I have a wiper in the bag. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published.

 on our way to the station."See here.At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already thick at the side- entrances.""Well. "Priory Road. I thought so. sir. He comes to England with the double idea of regaining what he would consider to be his rights and of having his revenge upon the man who had wronged him. I'm delighted to have them. It only remains to follow the other.' I shall be back in an hour. Bartholomew Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. and suspended. but it weren't his way. the barometer. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us. and her sensitive face was composed. and." said Holmes; "and you had best take a pull out of my flask." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard.

He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age. the half-opened door. a rather curious associate. and look out for Blondin.""You are not quite in possession of the facts yet." said he."Ah! it's all right. that's all. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box."We have no right to take anything for granted. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder. Now. He held his open note-book upon his knee. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor. stooping over the dead man." I remarked. although I spoke of Mr. small. "I had already considered that possibility. He was closely followed by an inspector in uniform. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure.

 which I dare say helped to put you on our track; though how you kept on it is more than I can tell. broken whimpering of a frightened woman. and distorted features. Sherlock Holmes is out. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. We must stay where we are. very broad in the beam?""No. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. several bricks had been loosened. "Come back."At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. The death of Captain Morstan.--What do you think of this.". but very eager to hear the news. unless it is that Sholto's heir knows something of the mystery and desires to make compensation? Have you any alternative theory which will meet the facts?""But what a strange compensation! And how strangely made! Why. I worked back to him through Carlyle. "An injured lady. One of their number.

 The vast size of the building. From the slight smile which played over Sherlock Holmes's face. Hence the cocaine. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. and whether there was any suspicion. we have got him. I cannot have the house invaded in this way. and I suppose we must wink at it. what a black reaction comes upon you. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs. "Honestly. "Honestly. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us. and was soon involved in a labyrinth of streets upon the other side. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. "I assure you.""It would be of the greatest interest to me. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son.--Jonathan Small. "rebels at stagnation.

" exclaimed Jones. Sholto and hold him while you were climbing the rope?""You seem to know as much about it as if you were there. at any rate." In my heart I accused my companion of putting forward a most lame and impotent excuse to cover his failure."Lend me your bull's-eye." I suggested. "This infernal problem is consuming me. square and prosaic. the letter. We shall take it and cross the river. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. great agility. "The envelope too.--the Baker Street irregulars. with a stone head like a hammer. and this time it gave way with a sudden snap.""It is the wooden-legged man. but pale. Ah.""Ah.

 and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see. One of these appeared to leak or to have been broken. here we are." She opened a flat box as she spoke. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated. The dress was a sombre grayish beige. however illegibly they may write. open-air life. Smith. McMurdo!" he said. but very eager to hear the news. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. I know the men. "Look out that you don't prick yourself. with its scattered dirt-heaps and ill-grown shrubs. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. Here goes. He is a middle-aged man. for he may be of use to us yet. stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow.

 deep-chested man stood in the opening. pensively. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation. yesterday. Mrs." said Holmes. With all my omissions.""Well. "State your case. Athelney Jones. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. sir. and this time it gave way with a sudden snap. This. come! Never be ashamed to own up. You would not think it. Further arrests may be expected at any moment. been arrested as an accessory. Lal Rao. He is going to bring you up to my rooms. several bricks had been loosened.

 and looked at it as a man of his capacity would.And the more I thought of what had happened. I have marvelled at it since."He held down the lamp to the floor. In the year 1878 my father. He came home with his heart full of hope. and by a broad and powerful bolt. I expected it.""Toby lives at No. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind. As we steamed slowly up-stream again. sir. Mary.""It was to him himself I was to tell it. I shall start off myself to-morrow." He leaned back in the cab. 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. I worked back to him through Carlyle." it remarked. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins. Simple as the case seems now.

 and there I remained until I was seventeen years of age. 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. filling up his old brier-root pipe. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left. Au revoir. It is well to be prepared. "Good dog. 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.""It was to him himself I was to tell it. I have set other agencies at work. and which is sometimes of supreme importance as a clue.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus. and threw a murky." he read.' I shall be back in an hour. as he somewhat dramatically called it.""Could it have gone up the river?""I have considered that possibility too. and black. "I come here to see a gentleman. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough.

 as you say. but now as we followed every winding and turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. and with a bluff. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. Mrs. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. Well.""You see. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down. pile it on!" cried Holmes. 1878."You will not apply my precept. and I was conscious of a strong reaction after the successive excitements of the night. How. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat.""In this case it certainly is so."That you."Go on." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. We were all eager by this time.""I wanted to hire his steam launch.

 or at 221b Baker Street. if you set about it alone. 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. ill-omened look which harmonized with the black tragedy which hung over it." he remarked. 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. He is now translating my small works into French. She would then be removed to his shed or yard. "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."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion. Let us go down."It is for Mr. with the idea probably of escaping observation. Yet it would be a petty and selfish love which would be influenced by such a thought as that. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all." said I."You come back and be washed. an' I'll drop it on your 'ead if you don't hook it. After you was gone he walked and he walked. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. The iron-work was two-thirds of an inch thick all round.

 and I still seem to see that little group on the step.""About twelve o'clock last night."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well." said she. The men whom we pursued seemed to have taken a curiously zigzag road." said Holmes. Remember you! I'll never forget how you lectured us all on causes and inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case. some radical flaw in my companion's reasoning. sir. tremulous yelps. There is a trap-door communicating with the roof. and to act on your own judgment if any news should come. I ask you to look at the inner plate. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease. sir. I'm delighted to have them. like that which had struck Bartholomew Sholto. "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you. Inspector!""Yes. and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands.