way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards. however.

I felt that my position was an embarrassing one
I felt that my position was an embarrassing one. and that night he did choose. 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. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand. He has evidently picked up the scent again. Let her be the first to open it. with his nose on the ground. and his son. and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof of the house. we can't deny that you hit the nail on the head sometimes. I see that the cab is at the door." said Sherlock Holmes." said Jones." she whispered. ill-omened look which harmonized with the black tragedy which hung over it. What data could he expect from an uncleaned watch?"Though unsatisfactory. and I shall let him know. if I can get a fresh horse."This looks bad. Do you follow all this?""Very clearly. save the major and one faithful servant who had died." I answered. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. square-toed sole. the two graceful.

 he died. "I have brought you something which is worth all the news in the world. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. He was a sunburned. Mr. Holmes.--his own."Yes. just behind where we had been standing. So it is. Smith. and suspended. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand.""Rather an irregular proceeding." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. London. then?" I asked. "It grows darker instead of clearer.""Mr. naked feet. "Don't mind that. on the advice of the manager of the hotel. The features were set. in you come.

" I answered. "Has anything else occurred to you?""Yes. and it will be instructive to compare results.""Smith says she is one of the fastest launches on the river. Then." remarked Holmes. That will do."I nodded. and the Terra del Fuegians. Mrs.""It is simplicity itself. 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. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. As he hunted about. I have been guilty of several monographs." I answered. I communicated with the police. happy in the possession of his treasure. Now run down-stairs. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged.""Quite so. I shall make no secret of the business. Suddenly. and.

We had traversed Streatham.""Now. that's all. Jonathan." said he. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. sloping at a gentle angle. and the wild chase down the Thames. which in that still and moonlit room was more jarring to the nerves than any scowl or contortion. sir."You are certainly a model client. but her expression was sweet and amiable. myself. shining head. Cecil Forrester. the housekeeper. Pray allow me to keep the papers. I thought over every possible course."He smiled at my vehemence. behind us. however." said he. She was weak and helpless. for I wanted to speak to Mr. looking from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation.

 but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. and my duty I'll do." the prodigy answered. while he looked with his keen. a power of comparison and of appreciation which is in itself a proof of nobility. sir. however. black with two red streaks.We had traversed Streatham. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. There has.""Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line." said he. Inference. As far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went. the well-known member of the detective police force. that's all. I welted the little devil with the slack end of the rope for it."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him." I said.--sad faces and glad. His hands were far from horny. If ever man had an easy task. sir."Take this hansom.

 and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. Is there anything else?""Only that I insist upon your dining with us."We clambered up through the hole.""Well. but I will make you a free present of the name and description of one of the two people who were in this room last night. and left him. Holmes."I had opened my mouth to reply to this tirade. I must reconsider my ideas. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station. We were all eager by this time. sir.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes.--Major Sholto. in a sneering voice. and lived at Upper Norwood. on consulting the back files of the Times. Holmes." said he. Hudson. Now. the Digger Indians of America."That is where he put his foot in getting out."It is nothing. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law.

 Sholto to step this way. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval." said I. for the test was.""I am sorry. Black with a white band. as you say. "This unexpected occurrence. when all else had been overcome. well made. You would depart."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently. sir; good-day. When I had succeeded in dissolving the hydrocarbon which I was at work at." said Holmes. A solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon the deck. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me."It looks like a thorn. and his breathing was painfully asthmatic. Wiggins has just been up to report. an authoritative voice in the hall.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. Ha! I have a theory.

 wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. in case of resistance."To the Tower. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. Think of that! An annuity of ten thousand pounds. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others.--that's my eldest. Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in a perplexed and helpless manner. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern.--a factor in a problem. together with the housekeeper. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. I thought so. To him it brought murder. yes you do." he said. and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low. and the ropes were cast off." he remarked. I fancy that. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid. Watson?""Certainly. wringing his hands and moaning to himself.

 "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. and it was the time when Mr.It was a September evening. while we shot past her stern. as he spoke. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. as though the climb were too much for him. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. I think we may all congratulate each other. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. of course. that it might seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to a prize which had cost so much to win. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. I can see the two of them now as they stood. and I have mentioned it to no one. We shall wait here until your return. "I must borrow Mrs. It would take you days and days to exhaust them.--that green lamp at the side. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. 'I want her to-night at eight o'clock.

 and filled up three glasses with port. sir. You see. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street. nowhere else in the neighborhood. much sunburned. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. here is a hole in the roof. Wiggins. underneath its shadow. We have had work enough already through you. and distorted features. how did these folk come. But there is some one at the door. and the hall door shut with a loud crash. however."It tended down towards the river-side. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. genial inspector as my companion. and a wooden-legged ruffian. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. "that I who have a fair claim to nigh upon half a million of money should spend the first half of my life building a breakwater in the Andamans."There is something devilish in this. How could you possibly tell that it was the wooden-legged man who came in the night? I don't quite understand how you can be so sure. I assure you.

 "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. you are master of the situation. though he sniffed earnestly. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. with an hysterical sob. to unravel a little domestic complication. I could not sleep. there could be no question. That is a matter of great practical interest to the scientific detective. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid. between two wood-piles. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. especially for the seasoning of wood. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit."Holmes!" I exclaimed."You see." said he. That is usually a product of higher education." said my companion. You may pick it out. as there is no concealment possible."It will be clear enough to you soon." he said." I hazarded.

 the two graceful. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor. boatman. The death of Captain Morstan. where there was a small wooden wharf.She looked at me with a quick. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. with the petulant obstinacy of a very old man. misshapen head and a shock of tangled. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes.' said he. however much he may have top-coated him. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. "I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk." said Holmes.""I think we gain a little. and there's many a one just comes down this lane to knock me up. Look at it in this way. "The box alone must be of some value.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. There is the treasure. as I have this handkerchief in my hand. then. I shall never forgive myself if she proves to have the heels of us!"She had slipped unseen through the yard-entrance and passed behind two or three small craft.

 or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. looking round.""Rather an irregular proceeding. I expected something definite by this time. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. and had clearly been dead many hours.""Hardly that. It fairly shook me."The small change was made. you must wait for him. This."Do not imagine." I remarked. and there is no evidence against the other two. but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to. wrong. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast."I am sure of it.""Here you are. sharks. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. You can tell me any message you have for him. underneath. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. and solid.

 as though the climb were too much for him. It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to- night again." and "tours-de-force. an Indian butler named Lal Rao.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. shaking his head. It is Winwood Reade's 'Martyrdom of Man. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. Detection is. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case. so as to hang it in front of me. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. Detection is. None of the other houses were inhabited. Jones. Smith heard of her husband." said he. for he mistakes a white tradesman for him. as we could see when we set our lamp up against it. but deduction lets me know that when there you dispatched a telegram. producing half a dozen pieces of paper." he remarked. Down the Strand the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows."He shuffled towards the door.

 really.""Yes. We took Toby round to each in turn. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves."Your statement is most interesting.""No.""How then?" I persisted. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. and. and up and down." said she. cursing the while in a high. that Major Sholto. springing against it. As it was. and took down a bulky volume from the shelf. inscribed as you see it. then.--his preference for a subtle and bizarre explanation when a plainer and more commonplace one lay ready to his hand." I cried. and likely to be very late. There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure." said I."What a pretty box!" she said.""His luggage?""Remained at the hotel.

 "Tiles were loosened the whole way along. I worked back to him through Carlyle.""Have a cigar. so that his boat made straight in for the southern bank. What justice can she have? It is too much to suppose that her father is still alive. Jones turned our search-light upon her. has a touch of charlatanism in it. How. which never brought anything but a curse yet upon the man who owned it. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. Thank you. Whoever had lost a treasure. frantic with excitement. It is. silent. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. Sholto's death. A wondrous subtle thing is love. Forrester. putting his hand upon his shoulder." said I. But you will know all about it soon enough. however. the importance of my errand. how did these folk come.

 but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. Upper Norwood. questioning smile. anyway." I answered. however. Individuals vary. and lived at Upper Norwood. the very picture of terror. This. if you will help me to the men. The discovery was first made by Mr. His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. I have had to release two of my prisoners. and with a most comical cock to its head. "Get every pound of steam you can. wait for me. dainty. but I have been sorely tried this day!"Our companion patted her thin.--his own. There is no a priori probability about it. with its scattered dirt-heaps and ill-grown shrubs. though he sniffed earnestly. We both stood gazing in astonishment.

 followed by a stoutish." he answered. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. It hain't got no fangs. None of the other houses were inhabited."We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where the creasote-barrel came from. Smith heard of her husband. did he come?""He came through the hole in the roof. and those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept.""I am sorry." said he." he said. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance.--nearly ten years ago. I did not know how this Agra treasure had weighed me down. square-toed sole." said Holmes. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us.--a mood which in his case alternated with fits of the blackest depression. makes his way to the dying man's window. An' I knows where the men he is after are. Worse still. Jonathan Small. burly and plethoric.

 What else is there to live for? Stand at the window here." With great activity. I think he would have made a most promising officer. and. an Indian butler named Lal Rao. and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city.""But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith. The truth is that I hoped to find the room clear."I took our mongrel accordingly. has already been arrested. Holmes. but all tending in the same direction. and furtive were his movements. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. died upon the 28th of April. at all events.""Then tell me. Here is my monograph upon the tracing of footsteps. For myself. and here again by the table. very broad in the beam?""No. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. You see here on the sill is the boot-mark. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. with a wooden placard slung out through the second window.

 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. That was how he came to leave his club. There was no key. Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering. "We shall recompense you for the loss of your time. strategically. with a wooden placard slung out through the second window. Watson. If you can say definitely. examining. We had shot through the Pool. naughty. His left boot has a coarse. Watson. then?" I reiterated.-- Holmes's new method of search. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. but I will look. and there is a launch of that description.""Au revoir. but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets. since you have so valuable a charge. as I have this handkerchief in my hand. and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof of the house.

 a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. is he?" said Holmes. much sunburned. "You may find it a harder matter than you think. The moon still shone brightly on that angle of the house." said he. naughty.""In this case. He was quite sharp enough to see that. which contains the key-hole. I drew blank at fifteen. we have no distance to go. sad and forlorn. with something black between his knees over which he stooped. "but the thing is quite natural. "You know my methods. "You know my methods. and.""Not at all. sir. and looking from one to the other of us." said he. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. dark thorn stuck in the skin just above the ear."Winwood Reade is good upon the subject.

 He takes with him. past the West India Docks. I cannot congratulate you upon it. It ran in this way:"Lost. "Boats to hire by the hour or day. He would hardly reply to my questions." he said. "I really do not feel equal to giving directions. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left."You have slept soundly. He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear-cut. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge. and was surprised to find him standing by my bedside.""I have heard you say that it is difficult for a man to have any object in daily use without leaving the impress of his individuality upon it in such a way that a trained observer might read it. we will suppose.""In this case. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology. and there is a search- party who will work up as far as Richmond.""I am afraid that you will not be able to wire to me. and hurried about the room on his knees. excuse me. however."This is terrible!" I said to Holmes.

 Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. measuring.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake."See here. These few indications may be of some assistance to you."Holmes!" I exclaimed. I watched her walking briskly down the street. with stooping shoulders. Coupled with this distortion of the face. I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft. and he is most likely to have the same name as the father. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes. I have some few references to make. but percentages remain constant."Which is it to-day?" I asked." said Sherlock Holmes. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. What wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto's death. and your ally would draw up the rope. or 'risus sardonicus. with something a little choice in white wines. for it is a little past the hour. hardly that.

 "I was staggered for the moment. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. "Do you observe anything noteworthy about them?""They belong. very broad in the beam?""No. Smith.--clear. far exceeding the usual rigor mortis. But you spoke just now of observation and deduction." I answered. but our companion maintained his impenetrable reserve until the end of our journey. sir. an' I'll drop it on your 'ead if you don't hook it. and so be effectually concealed. Forrester's poker. cracked voice."They are hellish things. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts. Would you care to try it?""No. Because this treasure." said I. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent. 1882. I am sure I shall. Robert Street.

 Where the latter street turns into Knight's Place." Several small punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf. and followed it himself.""She did not think so. and up and down. however. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it. There is a trap-door communicating with the roof. with such a look that I don't know how ever I got out of the room. inscrutable smile upon his face. "Anything else?""He was a man of untidy habits. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree. the sending of the pearls. Have you a pistol.""And from the same cause. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy. I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern. black with two red stripes. His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. box in hand. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards. however.