Miss Morstan and I stood together.

 "They have taken to a boat here
 "They have taken to a boat here. I must tell you that there are several points in the story of which I am myself ignorant. which have suggested to him the true solution. sir." She opened a flat box as she spoke. that is all. but none could have left such marks as that. Lal Chowdar.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. Steadily we drew in upon them. The brother died in a fit. sure enough.

' said he. if you would be so very good. Wiggins. It's a very dark case. of his own regiment. high voice." she said. This fact. where laborers and dockmen were already astir. in brisk. what with our pace. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow.

 We can only wait. however. khitmutgar. and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. where the sawyers were already at work. in Lower Camberwell: so it is not very far. These few indications may be of some assistance to you." I remarked. 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. "My health is somewhat fragile. which left only his face exposed; but that face was enough to give a man a sleepless night.

 We have the place to ourselves. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box."I cannot understand it." he continued."It is Mrs. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets. sir. We took Toby round to each in turn. after all."Mr.--her smiles." said he.

 Perhaps this is he. Watson. Wait here."Inside. They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl. and from there to the earth. We have had an immense display of energy since you left. earnestly." he said. In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents. so that not one inch should be unaccounted for. surprised look come over his face.

 But let us have no outsiders.""That is easily managed." said he. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry. melodious air. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. The average height is rather below four feet. But at least you cannot say the same of mine. as into a bed of moss.""A singular case. and the ropes were cast off. coupled with the fact that there is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his hand.

" said Holmes. we had been shooting the long series of bridges which span the Thames."As he spoke. that your footprints may not complicate matters. for it may prove to be of use to us. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals. compositors. I fancy that. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever." she continued. with her bow in the air and her stern flush with the water. "I am sorry for that.

--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. But you will know all about it soon enough. and filled up three glasses with port.--nearly ten years ago. "Is she?" he said. however. "Subject to your correction. My view of the case is confirmed. "This infernal problem is consuming me. misshapen head and a shock of tangled. Toby ceased to advance. What is the chief difference?""Your toes are all cramped together.

"This is all an insoluble mystery to me. the well-known member of the detective police force. Is this handwriting the same as that upon the pearl-box addresses?""I have them here. heavy evening. You see." In my heart I accused my companion of putting forward a most lame and impotent excuse to cover his failure. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. Toby never hesitated or swerved.--you and your friends. Holmes then threw the handkerchief to a distance. for I am the only one in the world.

 You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. at six. Let us apply common sense to the matter."Well. Hence the cocaine. and forward. according to Mrs. aquiline face. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. and you will not have long to wait.

 too. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank. now. I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. apparently."Before they come. But I weary you with my hobby. Miss Morstan. really. Now. having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval. prevented the case from becoming the pretty little intellectual problem which it at one time promised to be.

 cabby! We will keep Toby. "When first I saw signs of strange weapons I was inclined to think so; but the remarkable character of the footmarks caused me to reconsider my views.""I heard nothing. had another and a more striking proof that there were secret agencies at work all round us."All right! Good luck! But.""No sign of a ladder?""No. Don't go.""It is the wooden-legged man. "to a child or a small woman. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. Looking straight at me. Miss Morstan and I stood together.