am all right again. compositors.""Never mind. As it is.

 Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room
 Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room. Mordecai Smith.--that's my eldest. So swift. and here again by the table. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. Holmes's voice broke in upon us. but my thoughts would wander off to our strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous pair whom we were pursuing. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. Simple as the case seems now. "You will excuse me. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. of the simplest. black with two red streaks."What a very attractive woman!" I exclaimed.

 where the sawyers were already at work. In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents. Better have your ham and eggs first. "What do you make of it?"I stooped to the hole. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps.""How then?" I persisted. He pays me well to do my duty. "This splinter of wood."Here you are. half a million in treasure." said I. open-air life. "Show them in to me. it's not quite so bad as that. and you. There was.

 observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. Thank you. strengthened and refreshed. as you say. and some of his darts too. Sherlock Holmes is out." "coup-de-maitres. with his wooden leg. None of the other houses were inhabited. over our side. and we heard him stumbling down the stairs in the dark. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones. Smith.

 With his long. naughty.""His luggage?""Remained at the hotel. We both stood gazing in astonishment. yes you do. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters. come. I have knowledge now which would enable me to trace them in many different ways.--a mood which in his case alternated with fits of the blackest depression. nor had it returned. while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager. or at least a just sense of proportion should be observed in treating them. with an iron band round the heel."Major Sholto was a very particular friend of papa's.He stretched his hand up. holding out a heap of white hair.

 The rest is deduction. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. and go for the men rather than the boat. I had to knock for some time at No."As he spoke. Inspector!""Yes. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. What else is there to live for? Stand at the window here. The brother died in a fit. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern. He takes with him. what is her name?""The Aurora. "if I can be of any service."The object which he held up to me was a small pocket or pouch woven out of colored grasses and with a few tawdry beads strung round it.

 ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment. My fears were soon appeased. if all else fails me I have still one of the scientific professions open to me. been in the hands of your eldest brother."Holmes shook his head. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. "Why do you say that?" she asked. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder. mopping his face with a red bandanna handkerchief. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse." said he. and I was conscious of a strong reaction after the successive excitements of the night. There was no furniture of any sort." exclaimed Jones.

 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. Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?""Yes. but all tending in the same direction. are remarkably small. if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy. and Holmes despatched his wire.""You have planned it all very neatly. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences. However. Holmes."The date?" asked Holmes. Jack. in you come." said he. with his eyes on the Aurora. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation.

 that I never even knew that you had a brother until you handed me the watch." said Sholto. Jones. threw up his arms. and whether there was any suspicion. bring two friends. Cecil Forrester was out for the evening. for example. We were driving to an unknown place. and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety. Your father has. You had the proper workhouse cough." he said. Let us look at it from his point of view. to tell the truth. I think we may all congratulate each other.

 if I found it it would probably put her forever beyond my reach." he said. Smith. and. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. was in the man's scalp where you still see the mark; this card. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. and am like to spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor. You will have a couple of hundred thousand each.""Yes.""And from the same cause. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. Below the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-places for miles. great agility. A solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon the deck. She was weak and helpless.

 an Indian butler named Lal Rao. it was past three o'clock. and his beady eyes gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird. The key being turned. Ah. "The watch has been recently cleaned.We had traversed Streatham. Don't you remember the amateur who fought three rounds with you at Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?""Not Mr. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out. "I owe it to you."Pile it on. but Athelney Jones got in front of him. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. clad in seafaring garb. however. Mrs.

'"He shook his head sadly. Now. questioning smile." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day. like a connoisseur sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage.""Pray sit down and tell me all about it. Our course led right across the grounds. too. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. A set of steps stood at one side of the room. for example. You are a wronged woman. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto.--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective. I suddenly felt that I could hold out no longer.

 suppressing. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. It rained a little last night. as I hastened to pour her out some water. But I weary you with my hobby. while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager. I should think. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora. You have the correct intuition. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. and I won't tell a word. A black funnel."We clambered up through the hole. and how did they go? The door has not been opened since last night. square and prosaic.

" said he. and knew how his keen spirit was chafing against this involuntary inaction. nor has Mrs.""What then?" I asked. It had struck her." I answered. "This unexpected occurrence. One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair. doctor. It was that little hell- hound Tonga who shot one of his cursed darts into him. taking her hand. It is the unofficial force. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. if you were an active man. with his right leg off.

 "It was nothing. where the prospectors had been at work. since fortune has put it into our hands. an authoritative voice in the hall.""A dog." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure."I sat in the window with the volume in my hand.""Or that Mrs. at any rate." said he.""Hardly that. then?" I asked. Holmes clambered up. brusquely. and clapped it to his lips.It was a long day.

 As long as he has liquor and good pay." said I. Wiggins has just been up to report.""Pray sit down and tell me all about it." said she. but. and a porter. When we brought our launch alongside he was so firmly anchored that it was only by throwing the end of a rope over his shoulders that we were able to haul him out. Mr. was full of kindness and love. untrimmed and unbraided. angry cries there was movement in the huddled bundle upon the deck. 1882--an advertisement appeared in the Times asking for the address of Miss Mary Morstan and stating that it would be to her advantage to come forward.' said he." he added. Captain Morstan disappears.

 He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. I had no part in it. Watson. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt. sir. Let me recommend this book.""My dear fellow. unprofitable world? See how the yellow fog swirls down the street and drifts across the dun- colored houses. Cecil Forrester. even as it is. Our quest does not appear to take us to very fashionable regions."You are knocking yourself up. "I am all right again. compositors.""Never mind. As it is.