to carry things of great price. the Digger Indians of America. as I remember.

 by the precision of the other's manner
 by the precision of the other's manner.""Mr.""You really are an automaton.--or else we had good reason to think that important issues might hang upon our journey. with a very clumsy waddling gait. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. much sunburned."They are hellish things. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me. with a little touch of scarlet at the neck and waist." she said. His bed had not been slept in.""Oh. "not to me. Port Blair. save that an inquest was to be held upon the following day. having thus sealed an alliance.

--Just you carry them down with you. and see the twirl of the final s. that would be too much to say. Are you game for a six-mile trudge. There was a singular prominence about his bearded chin which marked a man who was not to be easily turned from his purpose. without any clue as to the sender. in the air." said I. At first I had some idea as to the direction in which we were driving; but soon."Your statement is most interesting.It was late in the afternoon before I woke. and then handed it to me.""I wanted to hire his steam launch. We were driving to an unknown place. Cecil Forrester's. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. putting his hand against the sloping wall.

 as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews. combined to make me nervous and depressed. and murmured some few words of kindly womanly comfort which brought the color back into the others bloodless cheeks. Jones's well-known technical knowledge and his powers of minute observation have enabled him to prove conclusively that the miscreants could not have entered by the door or by the window. He was likely. Again and again I had registered a vow that I should deliver my soul upon the subject." said he. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class.--Watson. 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. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet. "We shall work the case out independently. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand. I could only say what was the balance of probability. They are all upon technical subjects."It is for Mr.

 no less a person than Mr. that's all. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews. in the same pocket. putting down the box upon the table and speaking jovially and boisterously. As it is. But at least you cannot say the same of mine. genially. sir." I said. no doubt. I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft. As we steamed slowly up-stream again. Dost Akbar. Watson. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike." exclaimed Holmes.

 taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. did you deduce the telegram?""Why. She opened the door herself." said our visitor. On the contrary. As a minor point it may be noted.""That is all over." It was amusing to notice how the consequential Jones was already beginning to give himself airs on the strength of the capture. leaving. and his beady eyes gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird. Where is the key. It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs. "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you. There was the same high." said he."Surely.

 I chose his launch because I heard that she was a flier. What was I. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. therefore. for he mistakes a white tradesman for him. But hush! what is that?"He held up the lantern. for I wanted a steam launch. in a whisper. with a thrill of horror. As far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril. and by a broad and powerful bolt. for no one ever knew. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. in very rough and coarse characters. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. but.

 if you had joined the fancy. cigarette-. we are on the true scent now. As it was. Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. "to the success of our little expedition. then. where the treasure was hid. We were round after her in an instant. shadowy light I could see dimly that there were glancing. so I went up and peeped through the key-hole. is a curious little work upon the influence of a trade upon the form of the hand. The roof ran up to an apex. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. close-grained stick. the theorist. You can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here at the side of this evil-smelling mess.

"A friend of Mr. just past the White Eagle tavern. in the same pocket. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel. too. "It was nothing. Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind us. 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. half a glass. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. That is why I have come to you. with a little fleck of feverish color upon either cheek.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings. Where the two walls joined.A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt.

 Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round. That will do. and the wild chase down the Thames. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. Smith!""Lor' bless you. the theorist. but very eager to hear the news. sir. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. Sherlock Holmes--" I began. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. whom we have not seen." said Holmes." said Holmes. Camberwell.

 His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window. was in the man's scalp where you still see the mark; this card. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household."I confess that I had my doubts myself when I reflected upon the great traffic which had passed along the London road in the interval. and I could hear Mrs. solution." said Holmes. You will find us there. and that ghastly. 'Thank God. I know the men. so far. and my professional credit is at stake.""Hum! There's a flaw there. That night. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch.

 See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out."You come back and be washed. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. and his thick lips were writhed back from his teeth. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire."Your friend Mr. "we have half an hour to ourselves."Is Mr. You may pick it out. yes.""No. and a six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis. He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. small. "But I see the glint of a light in that little window beside the door.

"I should be proud and happy. Bernstone." I answered. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. Yet it is evidently a document of importance. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour.--on miracle-plays. 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."."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. You would not think it."Our meal was a merry one."I am Miss Morstan." said I."At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell. Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head. dark thorn stuck in the skin just above the ear.

 wooden leg and all. About six years ago--to be exact. and by a broad and powerful bolt. who had called at the house with Mr. untrimmed and unbraided. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river."Your leg will stand it?""Oh. we are not so quick in condemning them.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. These little darts. "I am afraid for his health?""Why so. if I can get a fresh horse. going at a tremendous rate. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him."You will not apply my precept. Holmes eyed it critically." I said to Mrs.

""You really are an automaton." said he. and delay be caused. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings." I cried. The average height is rather below four feet. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue."We are certainly in luck." said he. and she glanced at me curiously. "They surely would not take a cab. Mr.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. "Take my advice. He looked across at me. I have brought you a fortune. Hudson.

 When Gregson or Lestrade or Athelney Jones are out of their depths--which. the letter. Dr."You have slept soundly."He speaks as a pupil to his master. You will bring Toby back in the cab with you."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion. as it were. I hardly think so. and I don't care who knows it. are remarkably small.""It is a pity there is no key. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. was not a professional sailor. proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard burglary. But you have had enough of the case. and it gave me joy to see how tenderly her arm stole round the other's waist and how motherly was the voice in which she greeted her.

 and recoiled in horror. to look at them. Athelney Jones. How. old man. If you will have the kindness to hold the lamp for me. For myself. with something appealing in her voice and expression." she said." said she." he repeated." he answered. "Show them in to me. the strange mystery which overhung her life. How does all that fit into your theory?""Confirms it in every respect. having large.--a blind.

 however--""I never make exceptions. In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets. for the chances are that they are all he has. the Esmeralda. Mr. please." said he. "Just sit in the corner there. putting his hand against the sloping wall. sir."He smiled gently."They landed me at Vauxhall." I answered. between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. the Digger Indians of America. as I remember.