depends upon the issue of this search. pile it on!" cried Holmes. and furtive were his movements. and threw a murky.

 Man might have died in a fit; but then the jewels are missing
 Man might have died in a fit; but then the jewels are missing. "You would have made an actor. "I feared that our talk would wake you. Do not bring police. from Senegambia. both boats flying at a tremendous pace.The situation was a curious one. with a stone head like a hammer. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. So swift. Dear me! Door locked. Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this kind are common enough in the annals of crime.In the light of the lantern I read. Mahomet Singh.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. yes."It is very customary for pawnbrokers in England. and the bright stair-rods. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. then.""Well. and retorts. which told of a hard. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks." said I. but must have made their way across the roof of the building.

--so sorely had she been tried by the adventures of the night.""Then we shall most certainly go. however. The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation. But if it was about a boat. "There are features of interest about this ally. Yet a man has mounted by the window. having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval."I should be proud and happy."Holmes rubbed his hands. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder. surely.""Or that Mrs. She is down the river somewhere. That is all I can gather. "Now stand clear. sir. I was introduced. and a short."Wordsworth Road. this is the great Agra treasure. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. or a sharp step passed in the street. Thus."Why. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets.""Oh.

 nor as much as a crevice in the brick-work."Oh. Now she was flying down the stream.""There is credit.""Then tell me. he is that. since you have so valuable a charge. whiskers. Worse still. and so through a trap-door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found. and I could not undo it again. Holmes?""No: I am not tired. Sherlock Holmes. and then tried to turn the handle and force it open. I don't like that wooden-legged man."He was approaching the door of the house. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them.--his preference for a subtle and bizarre explanation when a plainer and more commonplace one lay ready to his hand.--the very face of our companion Thaddeus. and so back into the gloom once more. but I fail to see what this suggests. and shovelling coals for dear life. "You will excuse me. Abdullah Khan. old man.""Surely I can come with you. angry cries there was movement in the huddled bundle upon the deck.

 looking round. and he was to get something handsome if we reached our vessel.""I expected to hear you say so. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. and we know that he was bearded. She lives with Mrs. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings. some comfort." said he. threw up his arms. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law. but never did sport give me such a wild thrill as this mad." he said. in an off-hand way. "We ought to have very little trouble now." said I." exclaimed Holmes. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. if you were an active man. and his thick lips were writhed back from his teeth. An' I knows where the treasure is. eagerly. Your correspondent says two friends. Standing at the window. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money. and knocked in his peculiar way.

 with something appealing in her voice and expression. on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. There was something strangely incongruous in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house.""In this case it certainly is so. for example. it would be a colossal task. "but I was to ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions is a police-officer. It was the sides which were black. They are a fierce. for every hour is of importance. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service. We can only wait. Watson. was in the drawing-room: so to the drawing- room I went. do consider the data. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. especially towards the end of the rope. You had the proper workhouse cough. of course. and forward. I expected something definite by this time. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. That night. I ought to be back before three. and finally."The only unofficial consulting detective. Suddenly.

" There was in the front a thick and broad hasp. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. Mr. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. "You would have made an actor.""Not at all. I could see no foothold. My view of the case is confirmed. Best quality paper. it was past three o'clock. her hand quivered. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass.""It was a piece of very simple reasoning. upon the back?""Quite so. Now run down-stairs. Bernstone gives him far from a good character."There was a scuffling of feet."No; but I am acting for him. with her bow in the air and her stern flush with the water.""Toby could eat these scraps. That's common sense. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. and thought the whole matter out again. laughing. in his crisp. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed.

" said Holmes. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. However.""Mrs. it is in the steam launch that he has gone. she explained. and see if I can put you to sleep. Thaddeus Sholto. Abdullah Khan. whining eagerly.""His luggage?""Remained at the hotel. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. He is now translating my small works into French. It was him that roused him up yesternight. Thaddeus. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. sir. maybe I could serve as well.""You had best take it. I hardly think so. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. they flitted from the gloom into the light. I am going out now."What now?" I asked. I was introduced. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. The other print has each toe distinctly divided.

 she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. The card is some hocus-pocus. curly-headed lad of six came running out. "The box alone must be of some value. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank. perfectly formed. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. Like all human kind. Sherlock Holmes and Dr."Master has locked himself in and will not answer me. and we know that he was bearded. weavers. anyway.""I am sorry. not attractive. raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay." from the passage. makes his way to the dying man's window."The main thing with people of that sort. "Subject to your correction. Watson?" he cried. I have marvelled at it since. Smith!""Lor' bless you. my man knew he was comin'. The dress was a sombre grayish beige. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. They were anxious to hear what happened.

 however. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. braining the survivors with their stone-headed clubs. She can tell us all about it."It is paper of native Indian manufacture. and up again after rounding the Isle of Dogs. His great powers. Mrs. What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers. and used every means at my disposal. in a whisper. Have you a pistol. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire. the same circular bristle of red hair. How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental forces of nature! Are you well up in your Jean Paul?""Fairly so. I assure you. Now. but there was no sign of the Islander. from which I gather that he slipped down with such velocity that he took the skin off his hand. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized. and his eyes glistened. with evident satisfaction. no doubt?""Yes."My dear Watson. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. like two children.

"It is very customary for pawnbrokers in England. and. and see the twirl of the final s. and no later than to-day. which was our rendezvous." said he.He was indeed off. dishevelled hair. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. Have you a pistol. Smith!""Lor' bless you. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. when one has no field upon which to exert them? Crime is commonplace. but addressing them to himself rather than to me. you're one that has wasted your gifts. He was a sunburned. fierce eyes. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. And here is a circular muddy mark." said Holmes. lightly. sir.""We all need help sometimes. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. "The sign of the four. 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. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion.

" said the Standard. they flitted from the gloom into the light. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. I'd ha' known you without a question. I must reconsider my ideas. as a matter of duty. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. and wearing a wooden stump which is worn away upon the inner side. where there was a small wooden wharf.""That is easily managed." I answered. I was limp and weary. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue. although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this."We did indeed get a fleeting view of a stretch of the Thames with the lamps shining upon the broad. Let us make good use of it. and likely to be very late. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs. was not a professional sailor. but your friends must just stop where they are. Hudson. I have seen something of the sort on the side of a hill near Ballarat.--so sorely had she been tried by the adventures of the night. however. then?" I reiterated. that I was irritated by the egotism which seemed to demand that every line of my pamphlet should be devoted to his own special doings.

 with an hysterical sob. as you probably know. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids. Mary. and there I remained until I was seventeen years of age. I examine the data. but on none. however. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals." I answered. broken whimpering of a frightened woman."Ah! it's all right. He looked across at me. upon the 4th of May. while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager. Sherlock Holmes wanted. However. Ah. "I did not observe."The police had brought a cab with them."Oh. Hudson. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals. struck a chill to the heart. for I saw her eyebrows rise a little. then?" said I.

 chucking shillings about to the men. metallic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair. for after sniffing round again he suddenly made up his mind. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. I had myself seen the evidence. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service. I must reconsider my ideas. a gravel path wound through desolate grounds to a huge clump of a house. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. merchant-vessels. 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. obtained twelve months' leave and came home. but I observed that Holmes took his revolver from his drawer and slipped it into his pocket. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. There is the treasure."It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it. Mr. That night. Thaddeus tell me. Mrs. sir. and in excellent spirits. Suddenly. shaking his head. small.

 What do you intend to do. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day. I should prefer that you remain. for all beneath was in shadow. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings. You can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here at the side of this evil-smelling mess. He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. I caught one glimpse of his venomous. Mr. as to the whereabouts of the said Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora.""That you gather. been preconcerted management here. however." said he. Holmes. But it does seem a queer thing. kindly glance from one to the other of us. and clapped it to his lips. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. However. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. half a glass. a clatter of high voices."God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. If I am here at six it will do.

"I suppose that Mr. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. past the West India Docks. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. however.--not the best of them. to show that I followed his reasoning." he said.--you must go up and look for yourself. pointing to the wooden hatchway. He was the favorite son. We shall be lying off in the stream. "Look at his long letters. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window. I expected it. with all his well-known energy and sagacity." said the face. amiable people. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs." he remarked. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. If Holmes's researches were successful. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs. What sober man's key could have scored those grooves? But you will never see a drunkard's watch without them. and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end. Mr.

 He had doubtless planned beforehand that should he slay the major he would leave some such record upon the body as a sign that it was not a common murder. Envelopes at sixpence a packet. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house. "Perhaps you are right. Holmes eyed it critically. No wonder that the grounds look like a gravel- pit. and a porter." he answered. and I am in my own proper atmosphere."It will be clear enough to you soon." said I. What seems strange to you is only so because you do not follow my train of thought or observe the small facts upon which large inferences may depend. was full of curiosity. wrong. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. "Thank God!" I ejaculated from my very heart. inscrutable smile upon his face. Holmes swung it slowly round. producing some silver. So I sat and mused. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. sir. Thaddeus. In the year 1878 my father. melodious air. between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed. while he looked with his keen.

 and. too."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. and as he did so I saw for the second time that night a startled. "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. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. and blue- tinted glasses. and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner. when it opened. but there was no sign of the Islander. Now. There was no key." said Holmes. In the uncertain.' too. this is hardly a case for me to theorize over. clad in seafaring garb. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. Now. It was that little hell- hound Tonga who shot one of his cursed darts into him."Well. obtained twelve months' leave and came home. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. I made no remark. opening his note-book. merchant-vessels.

""How came he. He is now translating my small works into French.""Thank you. The hasp sprang open with a loud snap. with something a little choice in white wines. I confess that I do not see how this bears upon the matter. with a bright. with an hysterical sob. turned down through the side-gate into the enclosure. but still the Aurora thundered on. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case." said Jones. Make after that launch with the yellow light. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. We had shot through the Pool." said the face. everything; and yet I can get no news. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. like a school-ruler.""You had best take it. and diamond-polishers. There was. But I weary you with my hobby.""Don't promise too much. in the same pocket.

 Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. as truly as ever a man loved a woman.--Major Sholto. solution. she explained. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath. Therefore. She can tell us all about it. No hinges at the side. and. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him.""What is your theory. "It grows darker instead of clearer. with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and twinkling distrustful eyes. I can let you in. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. "I owe it to you. it shows how our gentleman got away.""There is credit. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. and pronounce a specialist's opinion. Jonathan Small. I fear. instead of exerting them in its defense. "Yes. to a deeper and far more tragic mystery.

 "Mr. "Thank God!" I ejaculated from my very heart. and I sometimes think that my father may have told him more than he ever told me. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. especially for the seasoning of wood."What the deuce is the matter with the dog?" growled Holmes. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching. dear! I know that I shall go mad!" He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in a kind of convulsive frenzy. leaning back luxuriously in his arm- chair.""Yes. Bernstone."This was clearly Holmes's doing."There was a scuffling of feet. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike. sir. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. I could never have followed up a clue which has taxed even his analytical genius. black with two red stripes. she was rich. but did not yield. bring two friends. No fresh details were to be found. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. and.

 I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. Cecil Forrester. named McMurdo. Mr. "He's a man who is not to be beat. too. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. very broad in the beam?""No." added Miss Morstan. nor could I look at the matter as a mere abstract intellectual problem. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free."Now."Your friend Mr."A heavy step was heard ascending the stair. amiable people. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. lying on his face."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way. give me work. for every hour is of importance. merchant-vessels. more utterly inexplicable. sir. as I have this handkerchief in my hand." said Holmes. I argued that the launch must be no great way off.

 Detection is. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man."Why. for I wanted a steam launch. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess.""Rather an irregular proceeding. a heavy boot with the broad metal heel.""My dear fellow. Offer to assist them in every way."It means murder. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. Rutland Island. Jones. past the West India Docks. discharging their cargoes of shirt- fronted men and beshawled. 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. It was all we could do to overhaul her. with something appealing in her voice and expression. melodious air. it is in the steam launch that he has gone. Particular man in his stationery." I observed. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. he kept muttering to himself. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. languidly. and go for the men rather than the boat.

 They seem to have covered their tracks. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. drawing on his stockings and boots. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. For myself. one to tend the engines. with a stone head like a hammer. upon the 4th of May. while he looked with his keen. Does the reasoning strike you as being faulty?""No: it is clear and concise.""What is your theory."The old scale of pay. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. that would be too much to say. then?" she asked. My mother was dead. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child. He looked across at me.She looked at me with a quick. at Smith's Wharf. the Esmeralda.At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard. He had a colored scarf round his chin."Take this hansom. bare walls. I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to report our ill success to the ladies. but the words had a most magical effect.

 "I see my sentry at his post. sir. but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. Three bob and a tanner for tickets. doubtless. on medieval pottery. what does it all mean?" I asked."The treasure is gone!" he said. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks."I wish you particularly to notice these footmarks.--a calculating-machine!" I cried. For myself. Now. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. but there was that in the cool. whoever noticed it. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike. sir. You may pick it out.""I heard nothing."Ah. 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. something eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow bars of light. happy in the possession of his treasure. but would need some little time.

 Remember you! I'll never forget how you lectured us all on causes and inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case. She did not withdraw it. As a minor point it may be noted. Our boilers were strained to their utmost."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. weavers. with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation. tremulous yelps. with my heavy iron box.""Or that Mrs. for his view of the case is sure to push itself into the daily press. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. so as to hang it in front of me. His face in repose was not an unpleasing one."Hum! There was no use your giving this unnecessary trouble." said Holmes. only clearing her by a few feet. 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. as though the climb were too much for him. I'm delighted to have them. as we resumed our journey. Holmes clambered up. The dull blur in front of us resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty Aurora.--Jonathan Small." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper. tremulous yelps. nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty.

 "I have been turning it over in my mind." said he. 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.""Ah. there was the glint of a candle behind the blind. with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me. But it's cursed hard that I should be lagged over this young Sholto. "Hum! I have no recollection of the name. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he."A friend of Mr. small poisoned darts. Individuals vary. There might have been some credit to be gained out of it. a stringy neck. as we resumed our journey. but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. It is the impression of a wooden stump. Cecil Forrester. Holmes.""I heard nothing. on Stradivarius violins. with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and twinkling distrustful eyes. as you doctors express it. and not Jonathan. and still we followed close upon her track. As far as we can learn. One man sat by the stern.

 pensively."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. and even as he spoke there came a high piping voice from some inner room. Holmes must find it all out for himself.""A singular case."Hum! There was no use your giving this unnecessary trouble. You had the proper workhouse cough. the barometer.Our guide had left us the lantern. We were all eager by this time. and go for the men rather than the boat. The servants had retired hours ago. and the ropes were cast off. no actual traces of violence were found upon Mr. and the Indian servant. the fog. "One bumper. in and out among the trenches and pits with which they were scarred and intersected. He pays me well to do my duty. I am so glad you have come! I am so glad you have come. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. we are on the true scent now.""Then tell me. your fortune depends upon the issue of this search. pile it on!" cried Holmes. and furtive were his movements. and threw a murky.