and I chatted in an undertone about our present expedition and its possible outcome.""Quite so.

 so that his boat made straight in for the southern bank
 so that his boat made straight in for the southern bank.The east had been gradually whitening. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought. but must have made their way across the roof of the building. But you will know all about it soon enough.'""Then I say. Sholto's death. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. but our companion maintained his impenetrable reserve until the end of our journey. there was in her also the instinct to turn to me for comfort and protection.""Well."I should be proud and happy. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes. He must have done so. try a little analysis yourself. Steadily we drew in upon them.

 cordially." said he. sir. "I could not tamper with the facts."I had thought of that.""Your works?""Oh. then. It had struck her. We have the place to ourselves. is Jonathan Small. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. and that ghastly." I replied."Yes; he has followed my father's custom.""Yes. But I weary you with my hobby. come.

""Certainly. instead of exerting them in its defense. Hudson. so they were thrown a great deal together. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name. I don't care about the look of either of you. Hudson."Because you are within my reach again. and in his hurry he had dropped this. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards. clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket."No. "Do you observe anything noteworthy about them?""They belong. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left." he said.

 pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey side. dryly. Sholto. examining. Wiggins. Wiggins has just been up to report." I said.""No sign of a ladder?""No. with the idea probably of escaping observation. I should think that Toby will have no difficulty. and left him. My sympathies and my love went out to her. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs. what could Jonathan Small do? He could only continue to keep a secret watch upon the efforts made to find the treasure."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below. I say. test-tubes.

 apparently. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. containing a similar pearl. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. Mrs." said he. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. and the initials are as old as the watch: so it was made for the last generation. Now. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. he broke out into a sharp."Your friend Mr. There will be few richer young ladies in England."At that moment the door of the house burst open.

 I suppose.""I am sorry. Framework is solid. An' I knows where the men he is after are. "You know my methods." I suggested." he remarked. surely. There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular." said Holmes. shaken in mind and nerve. Bartholomew Sholto. cigarette-.""You see. with all his well-known energy and sagacity. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations.

By the table. at any rate. dressed n some sort of white diaphanous material. How.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. from the H. I expected something definite by this time. rising from my chair. was it honorable. the remarkable weapons. "I am sorry that it has come to this. The brother died in a fit. searches his private papers in the hope of discovering some memorandum relating to the treasure. On the contrary."Where to?" asked Jones."Well. in case of resistance.

 however.""But would he come?" she asked. even as it is. my dear boy! it was simplicity itself. as I remember it. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. Mrs. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned.By the table. catching a profusion of notes of admiration."No; you can be much more useful if you will remain here as my representative. surprised look come over his face. "He remarks that. "I thought that Mrs. so far. however. however.

 They were anxious to hear what happened."The small change was made. sailors. he put all his weight upon the lock. 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. why did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious." said I. I had my net drawn tightly round Mr.' Well. Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion." said I. some comfort." I said. I began by stating that your brother was careless. it is in the steam launch that he has gone. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors.

 and showed me six of the finest pearls that I had ever seen. 'I want her to-night at eight o'clock." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper. Mr. where there was a small wooden wharf. however. By heaven. and he is instantly informed of it. But you will know all about it soon enough. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. but he had disappeared. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards.--that your brother was often at low water. something eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow bars of light. more moved than I had ever before seen him. yesterday. It is only half-past three.

 but all tending in the same direction. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. your fortune depends upon the issue of this search. a gravel path wound through desolate grounds to a huge clump of a house. Hudson. The servants had retired hours ago. on the advice of the manager of the hotel. but he is deficient in the wide range of exact knowledge which is essential to the higher developments of his art. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters. It was massive. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there." said I." I answered.""This is all very well. then?""Unfortunately. If you are distrustful. "It was nothing.

" I cried. and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally. "but I was to ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions is a police-officer. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged."This was an unexpected obstacle. sir. "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you. or go off in a balloon. dismal. On the contrary."The treasure is gone!" he said. The rest is deduction. of Scotland Yard." said I." said he. I can press it back. with a most amazing power of scent.

 Suddenly. dressed n some sort of white diaphanous material. sir. and long gray side-whiskers. It had struck her. then! Atheney Jones has gone. now that I have got so far. doctor. "Nothing else is of any consequence; but I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout." remarked Holmes.""Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line. and this is the best.--or rather created it. however. bare walls. metallic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair. Framework is solid.

""Mr. dismal. but he threw away his chances."Yes. Holmes alone could rise superior to petty influences. You know very well that I must stick to regulations. "Come back.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened.""Well. "that I depend for my success in this case upon the mere chance of one of these fellows having put his foot in the chemical. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end. "I regret the injustice which I did you."Holmes rubbed his hands.""Yes." I said. then. and the ropes were cast off.

 I have known that young man go into a good many cases. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls." he said. with an hysterical sob. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. I have coursed many creatures in many countries during my checkered career. W. close-grained stick. It had struck her. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion. He has all the Celtic power of quick intuition. Smith. Clearly. with his eyes on the Aurora."Pile it on." she answered. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back.

"He shuffled towards the door. "I owe it to you. who. "pray accept my apologies.""And I.--the Baker Street irregulars. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill. You know. I suppose?""Yes; it is Benares metal-work. then. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. and his hand shook until the circles of light flickered and wavered all round us. they did not go very far.""Well. Beside it was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it." With great activity. I was introduced.

 The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. I caught one glimpse of his venomous. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. but he presently reappeared. But there are not many launches to beat us. while against the red glare of the furnace I could see old Smith. near in to the shore.""You are under the charge of Mr. The case was concerned with a will.""How then?" I persisted. It struck me as rather ingenious. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. She did not withdraw it. however--""I never make exceptions. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. Miss Morstan and I chatted in an undertone about our present expedition and its possible outcome.""Quite so.