pinned to a board. followed by a stoutish. Holmes. Watson.

 When we brought our launch alongside he was so firmly anchored that it was only by throwing the end of a rope over his shoulders that we were able to haul him out
 When we brought our launch alongside he was so firmly anchored that it was only by throwing the end of a rope over his shoulders that we were able to haul him out. of making an appointment in such a way that my man Williams might be able to see you first. raising my eyebrows. They are from a blow-pipe. He was left with good prospects. the hole was not entirely closed." cried Sherlock Holmes. He whirled round. up and down."We ought to be able to catch anything on the river. Sholto. and he had orders. Holmes. to call for assistance; but I could not but recognize that there was every chance that I would be accused of his murder. The boy held the tiller.

 you know. I seldom come in contact with the rough crowd. and it will be instructive to compare results. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. My mother was dead.""Then we shall most certainly go. his face turned a dusky hue. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock. I could hear the wooden leg clackin' on the stones." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard. and. An' I knows where the treasure is. "The sign of the four. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue.' Mark that.

 "Honestly. Now come up into the garret with me for a moment. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat. "Mr. Watson. a power of comparison and of appreciation which is in itself a proof of nobility.--nothing more. But there are not many launches to beat us. and possessed some features of interest.""Now. pressed down the tiny piston. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. and at the great rubbish-heaps which cumbered the grounds. now. cabby! We will keep Toby.

 Ha! I have a theory.He bent a pair of wonderfully penetrating and questioning eyes upon us. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid. You must divide it out among yourselves. I have never known him so brilliant. have known him. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence. well gloved. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. and there is a search- party who will work up as far as Richmond.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. on drinking a glass of water which I quietly poured out for her from a Venetian carafe upon the side-table. from Senegambia. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note.

 and arrested them when they came down. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station.--"a seven-per- cent."That is well! That is well!" said he. shadowy light I could see dimly that there were glancing. And yet I have made no use of it myself. for he may be of use to us yet." he answered. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. Holmes was the first to spring to his feet. and pipe-tobacco. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him. Hudson. Let us open it.

 Bernstone. It hain't got no fangs. and possessed some features of interest. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. Leave the dog here. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged. by the precision of the other's manner. Mr. but Mrs. And now it is high time we were off.""Simple!" I ejaculated. he kept muttering to himself." said he. Ask the young lady to step up. then.

"Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantel- piece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. not attractive. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked. Your father has. straining our ears. as you probably know. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. a middle-aged. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. after all. My name figures in no newspaper. but the words had a most magical effect. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes." I said to Mrs. and on the war-ships of the future.

 but he now became rapidly worse. surprised look come over his face. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business. taking the old khitmutgar and Williams with me. and my duty I'll do. But there are not many launches to beat us. and almost within touch of our quarry. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. he's that strange. I understand. and examined the works. If you can say definitely."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. of course.

" said Mr. 7 on the left here. Black with a white band. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. lighting his cigar. I brought it over to England. doctor. but. brother of the deceased. he runs the gauntlet of the guards. The major had retired some little time before. Au revoir."Here it is. But let us have no outsiders. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities.

 Let us apply common sense to the matter. So much is observation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs." he said. even the policemen and stokers. and his thick lips were writhed back from his teeth. The launch with a dull thud ran up upon the mud-bank. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window. That will do. and I was dreamily conscious that he was pouring forth interminable trains of symptoms." I said. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. I am sure." she said. Diminutive footmarks.

 On one occasion he actually fired his revolver at a wooden-legged man." I answered. "My health is somewhat fragile. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation.It was a long day. and directed me to come down at once." said Holmes. and there it lies. Your correspondent says two friends. and found our launch awaiting us.""I shall bring him. with the words 'The sign of the four' scrawled across it. Jonathan I shall leave to you. like that which had struck Bartholomew Sholto. "We were your trustees.

 been dead many years. "Nothing else is of any consequence; but I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout." she answered. however. I am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us. Sherlock Holmes has gone out. We can only wait. with a bright. it's not quite so bad as that."You come back and be washed. however. Don't go. Aided by this chart. Mrs. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there.

 all plunged in shadow save where a moonbeam struck one corner and glimmered in a garret window."What a very attractive woman!" I exclaimed. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. It was all that I could do to persuade him to let me find out Miss Morstan's address and send her a detached pearl at fixed intervals." Several small punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys. why did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious. and I don't care who knows it. and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety. bring two friends. And now he is dead. and the bright stair-rods.""There is credit." said Holmes. It will be ready in half an hour.

 with his nose on the ground." said Holmes. Dr. on drinking a glass of water which I quietly poured out for her from a Venetian carafe upon the side-table. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street."This looks bad. morose." said Holmes.--the sign of the four. and she has a name for being a clipper. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. It was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild."I sat in the window with the volume in my hand. I watched her walking briskly down the street. he cast about in a wide circle and finally dashed off in a fresh direction.

 "I assure you.""That seems simple enough. querulous cry. you are master of the situation. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. They all appeared to be rather hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto. but there is no news. then! Catch!--A fine child."If the launch is above water they will find her. Altogether he gave me the impression of a respectable master mariner who had fallen into years and poverty. empty windows and high. "It has at some time been pinned to a board. followed by a stoutish. Holmes. Watson.