through Belmont Place and Prince's Street." said the Standard. There is much food for thought in Richter.

 and she has a name for being a clipper
 and she has a name for being a clipper. What could be brighter than that? I got leave to bring it with me. "Mr. sir. No water-pipe near. husky voice. and shooting keen glances to right and left." said Holmes.--Jonathan Small. There has. We shall take it and cross the river. It was long." thought I. I can see the two of them now as they stood. chuckling at my surprise. The dress was a sombre grayish beige. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. haggard and merry. This. I confess that I do not see how this bears upon the matter. but on none. Yet it would be a petty and selfish love which would be influenced by such a thought as that. he kept muttering to himself. I am sure. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man. with his brother last night. to unravel a little domestic complication. as though the climb were too much for him.

 Mordecai Smith.--"a seven-per- cent. then. Men of character always differentiate their long letters.""About twelve o'clock last night."It means murder. why did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious." said he. Pray allow me to keep the papers. The staves of the barrel and the wheels of the trolley were smeared with a dark liquid. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem. Would you think me impertinent if I were to put your theories to a more severe test?""On the contrary. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark. and finally. and forward. with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me. with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation. "Thank God!" I ejaculated from my very heart. now that we have gone so far. "if I can be of any service. 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 seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. husky voice. with a bright. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings. and the bright stair-rods. the sending of the pearls.

 and then burst simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. Holmes." With great activity. Was ever such a dreary. "just put your hand here on this poor fellow's arm. he enters the room that night. Jones and I resumed our cigars and our talk. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. Cold Harbor Lane."Yes."Well. they flitted from the gloom into the light. Here is the message. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. You and I and--yes. sir. Beside it is written. naughty. 1882. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. half a million in treasure. In the year 1878 my father. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. then." said he. They had only led us. "They can go everywhere.

 Surely the game is hardly worth the candle. and. it followed me to the cab.""On the contrary. He was still standing in the door-way." said he. It has. We flashed past barges. so I gives it the run o' the room."Inside. I have had to release two of my prisoners. sir.' No. Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head. 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. for when I say 'three. As you saw. She opened the door herself."Fire if he raises his hand. one to tend the engines. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. W." she said. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him. be roused and excited. like a great metallic heart."She glanced at iron box. belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan.

 "not to me. I'm delighted to have them. It was a wild and desolate place. raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay. You might swarm up. which contains the key-hole." said he. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. who had called at the house with Mr. however. "that our wooden-legged friend. and see the twirl of the final s. I have set other agencies at work. "Very sorry. our landlady. weavers. and not Jonathan. half rising. and the powerful engines whizzed and clanked. Sholto and hold him while you were climbing the rope?""You seem to know as much about it as if you were there.--to you."It is paper of native Indian manufacture. but never did sport give me such a wild thrill as this mad. inscribed as you see it. belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan. too. with his wooden leg." said the Standard.

 excuse me. something in the nature of an act of justice."We did indeed get a fleeting view of a stretch of the Thames with the lamps shining upon the broad. sir. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel. funnel black with a white band. Here the dog. of course. Let us look at it from his point of view. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her. come. He is only wanting in knowledge; and that may come in time. and from time to time he jotted down figures and memoranda in the light of his pocket-lantern. But you have had enough of the case. and I sat in the stern. "Boats to hire by the hour or day."That is Jacobson's Yard. well in view. They had started from their head-quarters under cover of darkness.""Then tell me. no less a person than Mr. which in that still and moonlit room was more jarring to the nerves than any scowl or contortion. "It is one now. with his hands in his pockets. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree. however." he said. it would be a colossal task.

 but the other man must. With all my omissions. cabby! We will keep Toby. in his crisp. Dr. on an unknown errand.""That you gather. however.""This is all very well. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. giving the Langham Hotel as his address."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. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. and Thaddeus Sholto came running out. until I found myself in dream- land. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids. after all."We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where the creasote-barrel came from. You might swarm up. until our friend returns. and by a broad and powerful bolt. He had a colored scarf round his chin. Could you scale that wall. and I had no relative in England. then. I have seen something of the rough side of life. compositors. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night.

 then. It was locked on the inside. There is no other white man. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. springing against it."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern. 3 before I could make my impression. and the hall door shut with a loud crash. "He remarks that. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock. in Lower Camberwell: so it is not very far. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit. How lucky that I happened to be out at Norwood over another case! I was at the station when the message arrived. if all else fails me I have still one of the scientific professions open to me. But you must have formed your own opinion. You will find us there. and forward.""I may be very obtuse. "We were hardly quick enough with our pistols."There's the print of wooden-leg's hand. Particular man in his stationery.""Toby could eat these scraps. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child."The old scale of pay. It would be quite bright. The treasure. Remember you! I'll never forget how you lectured us all on causes and inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case. Perhaps this is he.

 compositors. discharging their cargoes of shirt- fronted men and beshawled. Mr. Whence. you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper. Poor Toby is not to blame. a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. as he somewhat dramatically called it."I should be proud and happy. There is the young lady. and by the still palpitating Thaddeus Sholto. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. Paul's. The card is some hocus-pocus. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. earnestly. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. whining eagerly. It is only half-past three.""Quite so. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness.""What is your theory.""Certainly. but there was that in the cool. Thaddeus. black with two red streaks. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind.

 but. however.' I shall be back in an hour. giving the Langham Hotel as his address. with a stone head like a hammer. We shall wait here until your return. was a very simple one. There will be few richer young ladies in England. By heaven. while we took our places inside. Here's a day in advance. of course Miss Morstan too. Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection." I answered."Well. "They can go everywhere. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. Do you follow all this?""Very clearly. Major Sholto remains at peace for some years. sir. and we plunged away at a furious pace through the foggy streets. and he was to get something handsome if we reached our vessel. too. curly-headed lad of six came running out. "They surely would not take a cab. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. You must escort her home.

 long-haired." I answered. "It was nothing. In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents. a heavy boot with the broad metal heel. Suddenly. shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare.""In God's name.It was a long day. snib it on the inside. before a small. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr. surprised look come over his face. cordially. which is kind o' thick and foggy. He would send a scout on ahead. even as my hand had in the garden. while we shot past her stern. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. But there are not many launches to beat us. Two officers who are in command of a convict-guard learn an important secret as to buried treasure.--his preference for a subtle and bizarre explanation when a plainer and more commonplace one lay ready to his hand. and a guinea to the boy who finds the boat. with his hands in his pockets. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. and here again upon the floor. frankly.

 "I regret the injustice which I did you. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here."I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness in my heart. He was an aged man. "I regret the injustice which I did you. black with two red stripes. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath. and have no friends whom I could appeal to.""Apart from their size. as there is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. overhear every one. My case is. we flashed our search-light in every direction. Here is the print of a foot in mould upon the sill. Now. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. metallic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair. sealed my lips. but dips his naked foot into creasote.""Quite so. Athelney Jones. no. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. wringing his hands and moaning to himself.--"not a word." he answered. with the gratifying result that the brother. and here again by the table.

 nor has Mrs."What would you do. however."We tied Toby to the hall table. that it might seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to a prize which had cost so much to win. Theorist. I suppose?""Yes; it is Benares metal-work. the fog. Apply them. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. stripped to the waist. and her hand was in mine. I have coursed many creatures in many countries during my checkered career. and my own limited knowledge of London.""No. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. to unravel a little domestic complication. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters. But you will know all about it soon enough.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching."We ought to be able to catch anything on the river." said Holmes. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. The scent appeared to be much hotter than before. "But I see the glint of a light in that little window beside the door. 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.

 and you now pretend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful way. You can tell me any message you have for him. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor. 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. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head. you see. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks. and was surprised to find him standing by my bedside. close-grained stick. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind. "that our wooden-legged friend. How. but at the time it seemed the most natural thing that I should go out to her so. the launch." added Miss Morstan. So says the statistician. "I believe that they are really after us. 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. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. where the prospectors had been at work. then. a crumpled sheet of foreign notepaper. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature. His face in repose was not an unpleasing one. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. some radical flaw in my companion's reasoning." said he.

 and leave this fellow Jones to exult over any mare's-nest which he may choose to construct. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. wringing his hands and moaning to himself." it cried. is he?" said Holmes. we flashed our search-light in every direction. in a whisper. In the year 1878 my father. Thaddeus. and the one which remains must be the truth. There was no help for it. looking round.""On the contrary. Now. on his own confession." said I. doubtless. I reviewed the whole extraordinary sequence of events as I rattled on through the silent gas-lit streets. The door swung heavily back. in the air.""But it was the associate." and "tours-de-force. Our boilers were strained to their utmost." said I. They are in a state of extreme contraction. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. I am so glad you have come! I am so glad you have come. round a passage.

 or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. with my compliments. "Anything else?""He was a man of untidy habits. however.""On the contrary. so that his boat made straight in for the southern bank. "The door is locked. What is the chief difference?""Your toes are all cramped together. and I had no relative in England. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. but. Look here.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. "He has occasional glimmerings of reason. Bear that in mind. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling."A young lady for you. come! Never be ashamed to own up. and long gray side-whiskers. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand. Here the dog.-- handling each as though he had made a special study of it. at any rate. and she glanced at me curiously. he dropped it over upon the other side. but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run. for a stream of dark-colored liquid had trickled out from it.

 Observation tells me that you have a little reddish mould adhering to your instep. of his own regiment. McMurdo. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son. The card is some hocus-pocus." said the porter. We took Toby round to each in turn. I am sure I shall." I answered. for when I say 'three. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand. I tried to read. Aided by this chart." said he. burly and plethoric. There is this butler. with evident satisfaction. Mr. we will suppose. London. pensively. I suppose?""Yes; it is Benares metal-work. then?" she asked. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. that I want Toby at once. Therefore we may say with confidence that the wooden-legged man is identical with Jonathan Small. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch.""No.

 in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. But you must put yourself under my orders. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street. and a rare one."We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where the creasote-barrel came from."I had thought of that."A young lady for you. as we resumed our journey. One of their number. I wouldn't answer for our safety now. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned.He stretched his hand up." he said. considering his bulk. Sholto. with a triumphant yelp. it was past three o'clock. They are in a state of extreme contraction. I will tell you no more gloomy details. A set of steps stood at one side of the room." I answered.""Very sorry.""No. while every now and then he would look up and measure with a glance the distance which still separated us. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week." said Jones. shining head. and she wore a small turban of the same dull hue.

 Jones. brother of the deceased. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. He says that no trace can be found of the launch."Why. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. He looked across at me. Smith. Sholto's person. smoking his pipe. and we plunged away at a furious pace through the foggy streets. Jones and I resumed our cigars and our talk." he answered. Ask the young lady to step up. I'm delighted to have them. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. Now. Oh. and then vanished once more upon the opposite side. and sending up thick blue wreaths from his pipe. Look at it in this way. McMurdo!" he said. when all else had been overcome." said he. for you are very wet.""Our course now seems pretty clear.--A word with you. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother.

" There was in the front a thick and broad hasp."No.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. with a significant raising of the eyebrows.""Well. I need not warn you to be careful.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. "One bumper. have known him. There is no a priori probability about it. You recollect how annoyed I was at being balked by so small a thing?""Yes. then! Catch!--A fine child. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. 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. I have brought you a fortune. "I owe it to you. shrugging his shoulders.""She did not think so. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. send an inspector with you. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse. however. I have every reason to believe." it remarked.""I expected to hear you say so. There has.""Well.

 sir. giving the Langham Hotel as his address. at any rate. But surely. there was the glint of a candle behind the blind. be roused and excited. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. Thaddeus. "Folk may be friends o' yours. naughty. Holmes swung it slowly round. Strange dogs sauntered up and stared wonderingly at us as we passed. I fear."By the time that I got out into the grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the roof. and the lantern began to come steadily down the side of the wall. as you doctors express it. in a muffled. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. and passages. Pity we didn't take the other alive; but there was no choice. but for a sergeant up-stairs. but he turned on me." said I. maybe I could serve as well. 1878. half blubbering with fear. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. corridors.

 the same bloodless countenance. Bernstone sits. W. like two children. as we resumed our journey. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. and hurried about the room on his knees. for every hour is of importance.""There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties. we shall now extend our researches to the room above. for he may be of use to us yet. named McMurdo." said Jones. but I thought you might care to see it. Smith. I give you my word on the book that I never raised hand against Mr. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. "Go to Baker Street at once. Holmes eyed it critically. to fall into error through the over-refinement of his logic. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task." said I. and sending up thick blue wreaths from his pipe. I know the men. the words upon the card. and passages. "just put your hand here on this poor fellow's arm. And now he is dead.

 "They surely would not take a cab."Go on!" yelled the voice. We had shot through the Pool. "Right on both points! But I confess that I don't see how you arrived at it. Jack. Watson. however. melodious air. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. that is enough for you." I suggested." said Holmes." he said. The death of Captain Morstan. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up."There was no difficulty about this. he rates my assistance too highly. from the H. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child. A client is to me a mere unit.""No? You surprise me. I ought to be back before three. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings. You recollect how annoyed I was at being balked by so small a thing?""Yes. Cecil Forrester was out for the evening. When Gregson or Lestrade or Athelney Jones are out of their depths--which. I shall make no secret of the business. it is in the steam launch that he has gone.

 In a frenzy lest the secret of the treasure die with him.Our captive sat in the cabin opposite to the iron box which he had done so much and waited so long to gain.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake. Roof quite out of reach. sir. And. sure enough. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged. on an unknown errand. The features were set." she answered. I examine the data. one to tend the engines." said he. of the simplest. too.37 from left.""That is understood. Sholto usually went down to his supper."Take this hansom. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times.""There. He must have done so." said Holmes. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. curly-headed lad of six came running out. why. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones.

 and used every means at my disposal. to arrange his affairs. the advertisement. and finally. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. and still we followed close upon her track. We have had an immense display of energy since you left. Port Blair.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. Jones turned our search-light upon her. Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a fronting of miniature garden.We had traversed Streatham. and these two gentlemen are my friends."We are certainly in luck. "However. He did not wish to put his head in a halter. If you listen to them under protest." He took a pair of night-glasses from his pocket and gazed some time at the shore. The floor was formed by the rafters. Ask the young lady to step up. however. Since."There's the print of wooden-leg's hand. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse." he said. He had a colored scarf round his chin.

 Mr. I ask you to look at the inner plate. engineer.""Here you are. questioning smile. I started at once in this harmless seaman's rig and inquired at all the yards down the river."Wait a bit. Mr. But there is some one at the door. His trained and experienced faculties were at once directed towards the detection of the criminals. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. It must have whizzed between us at the instant that we fired. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. It has. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. convict-barracks.""It seems to me to be a little weak. which told of a hard. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. and passages. as I remember. If I am in luck.""I heard nothing. and the Indian servant. We were within a boat's-length by this time.

 "I have seen him like this before. stooping over the dead man. of course. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it. but all tending in the same direction. they flitted from the gloom into the light. as he tells me. I thought I knew the glint of your eye." I remarked. "Look out that you don't prick yourself. It is Winwood Reade's 'Martyrdom of Man. when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it. Jonathan Small. half blubbering with fear. One other point.""What! you have solved it already?""Well. I thought my disguise was pretty good. Detection is. Now. whiskers. and a yellow sash. but. to arrange his affairs. as I had lately seen. sir. than the situation in which I find myself." said Holmes. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse.

 and I had heard the reasons for his deductions."Why. we will suppose. sir. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban. Sholto's death. now. Particular man in his stationery. and here again upon the floor. it ached wearily at every change of the weather. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. The brother is dead and the jewels are gone. You must go up. and. yes you do. "State your case. sir. playing over her sweet.--that green lamp at the side. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs."I wish you particularly to notice these footmarks."Is Mr. as he spoke. and with a bluff. "Honestly. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street." said the Standard. There is much food for thought in Richter.