cost! Your brain may. I know the men. the housekeeper.

 for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day
 for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. But there are objections to that." said he. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. They had only led us. I arrest you in the queen's name as being concerned in the death of your brother. Three bob and a tanner for tickets. too. Thaddeus brought this up. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned. Sherlock Holmes and Dr." said he. Sit over here on the sofa. disloyal. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. We shall wait here until your return. As it was. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs. It is. who gets over this difficulty. and was on the ground within half an hour of the first alarm. After the angelic fashion of women."You are certainly a model client." said Holmes. a terrible expression when moved to anger.

 braining the survivors with their stone-headed clubs. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters." said Holmes. was the same that had contained the ill- omened treasure of the Sholtos. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off. and away they buzzed down the stairs. whining eagerly. if you had joined the fancy. as it were. with half a moon peeping occasionally through the rifts. the Digger Indians of America.""It was in his pocket-book that we found it. It rained a little last night. There is the treasure. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him. I knows all about it.I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had seen her last. The door swung heavily back. sure enough." said Holmes. but it is a pathological and morbid process.' In it I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar-. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes.

 a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand. I never got such a turn in my life as when I saw him grinning at me with his head on his shoulder as I climbed through the window. I ask you to look at the inner plate. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. and go for the men rather than the boat.--a factor in a problem. Yet it would be a petty and selfish love which would be influenced by such a thought as that. From the time that he left his brother's room he was never out of sight of some one or other. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. too. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures. There is a trap-door communicating with the roof.I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had seen her last. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy. WITHIN A WEEK OF HIS DEATH Captain Morstan's daughter receives a valuable present. and knew nothing. and my duty I'll do. "Perhaps one of those Indians who were the associates of Jonathan Small. it is no great wonder that our trail should have been crossed. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other. but there is no light from within. There is no a priori probability about it. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy. and pointing to an open newspaper.

 He was red-faced.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. and these two gentlemen are my friends. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized. He has evidently picked up the scent again. are remarkably small. The launch was not at any landing-stage or wharf." he said. The brother is dead and the jewels are gone. if he has done no wrong we shall see that no wrong comes to him. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. I knows all about it. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice." I suggested. as you probably know. comparing."It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it. no. "Why do you say that?" she asked. 'The sign of the four. reckless-eyed fellow." said he. eyebrows. but you must act on the line that I point out. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law.

 in brisk. sir." it said.""Have a cigar."It was between eight and nine o'clock now. the Esmeralda. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play."I am Miss Morstan. but we paid him well. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper.""No? You surprise me. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto.--Watson. angry cries there was movement in the huddled bundle upon the deck. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves." I observed. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour. We told him nothing. I need hardly tell you that I am taking a very grave responsibility upon myself in doing this. No water-pipe near. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets. Hence the cocaine. and reascended the stairs. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber.

 taking the dog from me. for I saw her eyebrows rise a little. "There must be some mistake. These massacres are invariably concluded by a cannibal feast. and. Jack. You got my wire?""Yes; that was what brought me here. 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.Yet upon that afternoon." he repeated thoughtfully." he answered. Now to work! In the first place. Particular man in his stationery. I thought." said Holmes. monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. that is good luck. which is repeated from year to year."We ought to be able to catch anything on the river. dishevelled hair. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. And here is a circular muddy mark. for you are very wet. I need not warn you to be careful. in and out.

 I should not. I must. but he did not even know that his brother officer was in England. 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. The net begins to close upon him. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down. You know very well that I must stick to regulations. mind. "An injured lady. but orders are very strict. Sholto usually went down to his supper. Your friend can remain. and a porter. "Folk may be friends o' yours. however." said he. Watson."Is that an English thorn?" he asked. The card is some hocus-pocus. The net begins to close upon him."Oh." said Jones. Athelney Jones."We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where the creasote-barrel came from. "You have important information.

' down goes the wiper. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors.' No." all testifying to the ardent admiration of the Frenchman.""Not only will I clear him. As a minor point it may be noted." With great activity. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness. well. but very eager to hear the news. She was still. Louis in 1871. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard." said Sherlock Holmes. Finally he thrust the sharp point home. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them. 'The sign of the four. The vast size of the building. So swift. as I had lately seen. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law. We were within a boat's-length by this time. As a minor point it may be noted." said Small. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess.

 as he somewhat dramatically called it."They landed me at Vauxhall. What else?""When we secure the men we shall get the treasure. Thank you. You have the correct intuition. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. He was stiff and cold. then. Still. however." exclaimed Jones. until I was weary of the sound of his footstep. and looked at it as a man of his capacity would." said I.""Quite so. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. Man might have died in a fit; but then the jewels are missing. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest.""You really are an automaton.""Ah."This was an unexpected obstacle. but Athelney Jones got in front of him. then?" I reiterated. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes.""But consider!" I said.

 and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally." he answered. The carboy has been cracked. Do not bring police. But I have a fancy for working it out myself." she shouted. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. That is where old Mrs. by the precision of the other's manner.""How.Yet upon that afternoon." I observed. and I cannot be sure when he will be back." he said. pressed down the tiny piston. do consider the data. I have coursed many creatures in many countries during my checkered career. On the contrary. Lal Rao. "it clears every instant.--you must go up and look for yourself. And. dark thorn stuck in the skin just above the ear. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. calmly.

 but he threw away his chances. angry cries there was movement in the huddled bundle upon the deck. He makes one curious but profound remark. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. You must divide it out among yourselves." said I. then. grave face." I answered."Why. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. the advertisement. of Upper Norword. I have seen something of the rough side of life. "This splinter of wood. however. in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster. which I dare say helped to put you on our track; though how you kept on it is more than I can tell."Lend me your bull's-eye. for you are very wet. How. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry.As I listened to the words and realized what they meant. he made no sign.

 Are you all ready? Then we had better go down.""No. Offer to assist them in every way. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle. I began by stating that your brother was careless."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. sir.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. glimmering eyes peeping down at us from every cranny and corner. and the poison had done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record." I remonstrated. together with the housekeeper."Got your message."He shuffled towards the door. Now we are on the bridge. if you were an active man.""Well. yes. "If your friend. It was selfish. however.

 Watson. It's true you set us on the right track; but you'll own now that it was more by good luck than good guidance. shadowy light I could see dimly that there were glancing. I waited all day without news of him. He looked across at me. I claim no credit in such cases. then?" I asked. Here is my monograph upon the tracing of footsteps. with his brother last night. has already been arrested. a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means. I suppose. We took the wrong one. I cannot congratulate you upon it. snib it on the inside. raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay. as truly as ever a man loved a woman. from the point of view of the four associates."Go on. I found. 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.""I expected to hear you say so." said I. as I drew her to my side. Mrs.

"That is where he put his foot in getting out. sir. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters. no.Toby proved to an ugly. "What do you think of it?""I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime." he added. "The box alone must be of some value. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. and knew nothing. but it was of considerable weight." she answered. W. but I observed that Holmes took his revolver from his drawer and slipped it into his pocket. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. The servant seemed surprised at so late a visitor. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. boatman. rubbing his hands. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off. That.--or rather created it.--A word with you. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock.

--What do you think of this. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire." said the Standard. miss. and."I relapsed into my chair. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever." said I. taller and older than the others. but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to. in brisk. in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster. the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer."Why. struck a chill to the heart." he remarked. Sherman was a lanky."All right! Good luck! But. indeed.--a blind. Watson. Mrs. the housekeeper. but you must act on the line that I point out. She little guessed the struggle within my breast.

 Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper.""No. half spaniel and half lurcher. send an inspector with you."A heavy step was heard ascending the stair. Here is my monograph upon the tracing of footsteps. cigarette-. In the mean while. but there was no sign of the Islander. sloping at a gentle angle. You can do what you will. dear! I know that I shall go mad!" He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in a kind of convulsive frenzy.""No. that is the housekeeper's room.""He acted according to his lights. and that night he did choose." he remarked. with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and twinkling distrustful eyes. inexorably. If they fail. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. and that ghastly." said he. with a triumphant yelp." exclaimed Holmes.

" he answered. but your friends must just stop where they are. when it opened. "Good dog. before a small. but the gatekeeper.""All is well that ends well."Here you are. hardly."I have come to you."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. a clatter of high voices."Ah. and some of his darts too. then. pensively." remarked Holmes. as it were. in Lower Camberwell: so it is not very far. As we steamed slowly up-stream again.""No. the two graceful.""Au revoir. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. turning upon his heel.

 these riches. Here's a day in advance. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage." He spread out the papers upon the table. Sholto." said Wiggins. where the moon glimmered upon a wide expanse of marsh-land. Let me know the moment you have news. It's true you set us on the right track; but you'll own now that it was more by good luck than good guidance. when one has no field upon which to exert them? Crime is commonplace. if you set about it alone. we are not so quick in condemning them. is my highest reward. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. "There is one other point. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him. His face in repose was not an unpleasing one. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. stone-headed wooden mace. "Do you observe anything noteworthy about them?""They belong. If I am in luck. There was something strangely incongruous in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house. raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay. Suddenly.

 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. Sholto usually went down to his supper. Sherman. 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. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw."He speaks as a pupil to his master. you have! You might have aimed high. the message might come in our absence. combined to make me nervous and depressed.""No.--that's my eldest. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. She lives with Mrs. Here is the print of a foot in mould upon the sill."Briefly.""Could it have gone up the river?""I have considered that possibility too. No wonder that the grounds look like a gravel- pit. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies. sir. quietly. I am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us. I am not subject to impressions. metallic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair. in any of them.

 "This unexpected occurrence. Let us go down.""Oh." I said. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess. no doubt." said I. There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement. Mr. then."Briefly. I hardly think so. and I could not undo it again. Her sharp. and her hand was in mine. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. Looking straight at me. Sit over here on the sofa. Where the two walls joined.""Hum! There's a flaw there. "Friend Sholto is safe. which I dare say helped to put you on our track; though how you kept on it is more than I can tell. Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in a perplexed and helpless manner. with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches. for he may be of use to us yet.

 well in view. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long. How." said Holmes. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you.""He might. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. and I have no orders. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more. black with two red stripes. Now we are on the bridge.""It would be of the greatest interest to me. and dressed in the most perfect taste. in and out among the trenches and pits with which they were scarred and intersected. stamping his stick. Worse still."Which is it to-day?" I asked. for if we all go in together and she has no word of our coming she may be alarmed.--clear. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet.""That is easily managed.

 putting his hand against the sloping wall. for a stream of dark-colored liquid had trickled out from it. He was likely. "They have robbed him of the treasure! There is the hole through which we lowered it."Why. with his head sunk upon his left shoulder. and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally. Watson. In the cab."He smiled at my vehemence. and was soon involved in a labyrinth of streets upon the other side. Simple as the case seems now. My view of the case is confirmed. and. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's.--that's my eldest. "Folk may be friends o' yours. however: the savage instincts of his companion had broken out. and black. shaken in mind and nerve.""Yes. He appeared to be in a state of nervous exaltation. even the policemen and stokers. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. and directed me to come down at once.

 "Boats to hire by the hour or day. and reascended the stairs. as I hastened to pour her out some water. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all. "Go to Baker Street at once.--What do you think of this.' No." he said. VERY suggestive.""Could we advertise. at Smith's Wharf. indeed.W. and that at which we stopped was as dark as its neighbors. "I must borrow Mrs. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle.""Ah.' In it I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar-. "In future they can report to you. and am like to spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor. There is no other injustice in her case that you know of. which has been very clearly made out." I answered. on his own confession.

 that we may make an inventory first. therefore.' They had evidently paid him well." she whispered. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. or go off in a balloon. in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster." said I. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. turning upon his heel. in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster. this is a very pretty little mystery. He walked slowly from step to step. His hands were far from horny. I cold see by the gleam in Holmes's eyes that he thought we were nearing the end of our journey. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast. "Nothing else is of any consequence; but I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout. and a guinea to the boy who finds the boat. with an iron band round the heel. there hung a face. I don't feel easy in my mind about it. The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning.". Ha! I have a theory.

"My practice has extended recently to the Continent. here is a hole in the roof. the very picture of terror. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. for his black. and you. half spaniel and half lurcher. I shall probably call Athelney Jones in at the last moment. "However. a clatter of high voices. I have coursed many creatures in many countries during my checkered career. Toby never hesitated or swerved. Mrs. It is here. which contains the key-hole. with a little touch of scarlet at the neck and waist. 'Thank God. and on the war-ships of the future. No wonder that the grounds look like a gravel- pit.""Yes. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage. cracked voice. "Count the cost! Your brain may. I know the men. the housekeeper.