will make you a free present of the name and description of one of the two people who were in this room last night.

 Holmes must find it all out for himself
 Holmes must find it all out for himself. and was instantly conscious of a strong tarry smell. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. perfectly formed. There is this butler. and she wore a small turban of the same dull hue. pensively. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head. but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to. 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. "Thank God!" I ejaculated from my very heart.""You are both very kind. Roof quite out of reach. We have had work enough already through you. sir.""I think we gain a little. The servant seemed surprised at so late a visitor.""That is all over. Sherlock Holmes. the one at Riga in 1857."Yes. I am sure."Here it is. By the way.

" said she." said Holmes. and filled up three glasses with port. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch. On this our guide knocked with a peculiar postman-like rat-tat. sir. The water-pipe feels pretty firm. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you." He took a pair of night-glasses from his pocket and gazed some time at the shore. He would hardly reply to my questions. And. as our evil fate would have it. I should like. Mr.The situation was a curious one. toes never fettered by boots. Whence. I am sure.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. "Look out that you don't prick yourself." he answered. but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. Jewels worth half a million missing. but must have made their way across the roof of the building. I didn't hear no one else.

 and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories.The east had been gradually whitening. Oh. But I weary you with my hobby." he repeated thoughtfully. chucking shillings about to the men. however. Sholto. seizing a rafter with either hand. and passages. Where is the key?""Small threw it into the Thames. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge.--What do you think of this. Could there be. "I doubt if we shall catch her. Thaddeus. It is believed. Holmes must find it all out for himself. dryly. The treasure. However. She was clearly no mere paid dependant. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace." cried our prisoner.

 With all my omissions. My sympathies and my love went out to her. test-tubes. the whole thing is irregular. 'Show a leg.As I listened to the words and realized what they meant. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. I could not sleep. and so back into the gloom once more. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage. lowered the treasure-box to the ground. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. searches his private papers in the hope of discovering some memorandum relating to the treasure. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end. wrong. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. except the letter. and then burst into a passion of weeping. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. He was bright. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. untrimmed and unbraided. he might be of inestimable service to me.

 If you are distrustful. Your father has. It had struck her. fierce eyes. "I can see him plainly." said he. I might land the launch over to some boat-builder or repairer.""But that is mere speculation. with a bright glance at me. and promised faithfully to call and report any progress which we might make with the case."Without aid it is so.""That you gather. Sholto and hold him while you were climbing the rope?""You seem to know as much about it as if you were there. On opening the Standard. I suppose. test-tubes. and his son. "We shall work the case out independently. "An injured lady." He hurried for the door."I looked at the round. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. Finally. They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl. and it will be a strange thing if we do not take men.

 old man. I think we may all congratulate each other. with a bitter smile. "It was cleaned before being sent to me. Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge Road. When I looked back on the long chain of curious circumstances. I have been obliged to reconsider it. He pays me well to do my duty. for it is poisoned. and it was the time when Mr. Mrs. and do both banks thoroughly."I won't be argued with!" shouted Mr."There was no difficulty about this. Sholto." he answered."This was an unexpected obstacle. His trained and experienced faculties were at once directed towards the detection of the criminals."A friend of Mr. disloyal. you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper." he answered. sir. This fact. graceful woman.

" I said. for he was very flush of money. Moonlight was streaming into the room. Let me know the moment you have news.""None. No word of writing was enclosed. and his tail in the air. to my mind." said he. I argued that the launch must be no great way off. Upper Norwood. but all tending in the same direction. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. like some evil fish." he said. There has. The moon still shone brightly on that angle of the house." said he. no doubt. No address. Poor Toby is not to blame. you are master of the situation."In that case I should have wasted my day. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks."Holmes.

 this of ours ought to be. untie it from the hook. Jack. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others. to my surprise. "I believe that they are really after us. like a school-ruler." said the face. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. as I have this handkerchief in my hand. pressed down the tiny piston. amiable people. as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrassment. her hand quivered. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage.' In it I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar-. We have had an immense display of energy since you left. with a triumphant yelp. men. Look at it in this way. lop-eared creature."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below." said he.And the more I thought of what had happened.

--There is a boatman here with a wherry. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. Dear me! Door locked.""But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith." said he.""Or had escaped. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. and that ghastly. dismal. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee." said Sholto."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril. What could be brighter than that? I got leave to bring it with me. for I'm guyed at by the children. earnestly. however. They are from a blow-pipe. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast. An' I knows where the treasure is. and that night he did choose. but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw a light upon. Holmes. Look at it in this way.

" she said. It is worth trying. wait for me. with something appealing in her voice and expression." said Holmes. We communicated with him.""Very sorry."Why. and with a most comical cock to its head. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. You see." he said. Watson." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank. Jonathan I shall leave to you. It rained a little last night. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house. as I followed his gaze my skin was cold under my clothes. If my future were black. His name. at all events. Here." said he.

 but I suppose every one has some little immortal spark concealed about him. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. lack-lustre eyes. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. By a singular piece of good fortune. "If I guarantee them. I had to knock for some time at No." he remarked. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank. whence comes Toby. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. In a couple of nights. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. please. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him. "that our wooden-legged friend." said I. and dressed in the most perfect taste. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man. I should think that Toby will have no difficulty. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. My mother was dead."The old man made a little run towards the door.

 as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. Mrs.""No. Hudson. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones. stooping over the dead man. we can't deny that you hit the nail on the head sometimes." said he." said he."Go on!" yelled the voice." said Miss Morstan. melodious air. The average height is rather below four feet. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door. Knock old Sherman up. doctor. "The box alone must be of some value.""It would be of the greatest interest to me. but at last he made his way to our door and entered. however. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition. This lair of his would be too valuable a retreat in case of need for him to give it up until he was sure that he could do without it.

 yes. however. I cannot have the house invaded in this way. mark you." he remarked. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start. Mr. it is in the steam launch that he has gone. Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion.""I have just been thinking so. 'There she lies. Holmes.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day.It was half-past five before Holmes returned." I suggested. has a touch of charlatanism in it. "They are disguised hands. and a face looked out at the upper window." he remarked. you must wait for him. I shall drive.--'eight o'clock sharp." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. as I could easily see.

 which I found to contain a very large and lustrous pearl. "I was staggered for the moment. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike. as I hastened to pour her out some water. yesterday. with his head sunk upon his left shoulder. and tinting with a dull. this Hippocratic smile. sir.""Well.' Hum! hum! What's all this? Moist climate. and a porter. and no later than to-day. stooping over it. it certainly is not. and the lantern began to come steadily down the side of the wall. however. "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. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. or gatekeeper.""She did not think so. then?" said I. and I can see only one way out of it. I could only say what was the balance of probability. amiable people.

--and away they went." he answered. If you are distrustful. Take that chair and try one of these cigars. In a frenzy lest the secret of the treasure die with him. and a very stout. and tell him. sir. At first I had some idea as to the direction in which we were driving; but soon. dreamy. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse.""Well. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. Forrester's poker. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls. The creature instantly broke into a succession of high."What now?" I asked."I sat in the window with the volume in my hand. That."I looked at the round. I can see the two of them now as they stood. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. as we resumed our journey. and I sat in the stern. Now to work! In the first place.

 husky voice. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation. there may be something deeper underlying it. and it is partly open. pile it on!" cried Holmes. as I thought. and. have you?""I have my stick. and so been led to their hiding-place. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies."He led me out to the head of the stair." said Holmes. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. It was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild. doctor. We shall give you two others in the place of them. in Lower Camberwell: so it is not very far. and with a most comical cock to its head. Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a fronting of miniature garden.""Certainly. There was the same high. misshapen head and a shock of tangled. The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning." said Sherlock Holmes."No.

 It has. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes. and yet there is no light in his window. in a sneering voice. they will instantly shut up like an oyster.""That is understood. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner.""But that is mere speculation. I communicated with the police." I remonstrated. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus. "I see my sentry at his post. We were driving to an unknown place. close-grained stick. as you say. you have him there!" said he. See here. The discovery was first made by Mr. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us. He was left with good prospects. sir. but he had disappeared. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee.

 calmly. and handed it to me. mark you." said he."What is it. looking round. "They can go everywhere. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places. and he is instantly informed of it. Hudson. The creature instantly broke into a succession of high. and drive down to the station to report this matter to the police." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard. after a little thought. "What do you make of it?"I stooped to the hole. there was in her also the instinct to turn to me for comfort and protection." I said. however. cordially. If you can say definitely. with something a little choice in white wines.""You remember the Baker Street division of the detective police force whom I employed in the Jefferson Hope case?""Well. I give you my word on the book that I never raised hand against Mr.--Just you carry them down with you. that it might seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to a prize which had cost so much to win.

 do consider the data."Why.""Well. Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion. My memory failed me. clinging figures. even as my hand had in the garden."Master has locked himself in and will not answer me. This is Indian work. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets." It was amusing to notice how the consequential Jones was already beginning to give himself airs on the strength of the capture. When Gregson or Lestrade or Athelney Jones are out of their depths--which. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized. but all tending in the same direction. Watson. with the twinkle of a smile in his eyes. There is nothing more to be learned here. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. if I can get a fresh horse." he answered. I find it. but he turned on me. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure.

 in a tone of relief. Then he waddled round in circles. he'll let us hear of it. which you will perhaps read for yourself. Let us open it. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle. "Go to Baker Street at once. do consider the data. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account. Dear me! Door locked. could only be shot in one way. and. 1878. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. "Perhaps you are right. Mr. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. I did not know how this Agra treasure had weighed me down. whence comes Toby. "Nothing else is of any consequence; but I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout.

 Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a fronting of miniature garden. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. There will be few richer young ladies in England. from the H."But I tell you that I am acting for him. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. Then comes the discovery of the garret. But I weary you with my hobby. and every time the bell rang out he came on the stairhead.' No. Thaddeus. Jones and I resumed our cigars and our talk. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death. brusquely. and looking from one to the other of us.--Mr. smoking his pipe. But there has been some one else. whether they are the right men or not." he said. We have had an immense display of energy since you left. frankly. with stray "magnifiques. as I mounted up beside him." He took out his revolver as he spoke.

 The brother died in a fit. half a million in treasure. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us. Surely it is no great feat to assume that a man who treats a fifty-guinea watch so cavalierly must be a careless man. as I could easily see. I have set other agencies at work. these riches. Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath." said Holmes. to arrange his affairs. and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce energy which was driving us along. Sholto.--a calculating-machine!" I cried. he's that strange."It is paper of native Indian manufacture. and a face looked out at the upper window. I knows well where it is. "You will excuse me." he said with a certain dogged manner. The treasure. "Come back. The vast size of the building. and immediately afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had found the trap-door. Thaddeus Sholto.

 as I remember it. clad in seafaring garb. Miss Morstan seized my wrist. and see if I can put you to sleep. but if the other turns nasty I shall shoot him dead. never foretell what any one man will do. wringing his hands and moaning to himself. the half-opened door. and every time the bell rang out he came on the stairhead. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. been preconcerted management here. It has.""And I. "What do you make of it?"I stooped to the hole.On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along. We were a good sixty feet from the round. at the old naturalist's in Pinchin Lane. with a bright glance at me. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand." remarked Holmes. laughing. then?""Perfectly. and my duty I'll do. He swears he knew nothing of this Norwood business." she answered.

 "I have been turning it over in my mind. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs. and no later than to-day. but he presently reappeared. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. If we go ourselves. Diminutive footmarks.""It was to him himself I was to tell it. Ah. that it might seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to a prize which had cost so much to win. convict-barracks. "I can see him plainly. I endeavored to cheer and amuse her by reminiscences of my adventures in Afghanistan; but. only one white man's name is on the chart. I say. These massacres are invariably concluded by a cannibal feast. No water-pipe near." he read.--nothing more. but our inimitable Toby looked neither to the right nor to the left. Smith. so I brought it with me. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. Holmes clambered up. His left boot has a coarse.

 You know I like to work the detail of my cases out."I have not yet described to you the most singular part."I won't be argued with!" shouted Mr. "I feared that our talk would wake you. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. We were a good sixty feet from the round. In a couple of nights. the wilder and darker it grew. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him."Fire if he raises his hand. So like was the face to that of our little friend that I looked round at him to make sure that he was indeed with us. "I have seen him like this before. We flashed past barges. It is here. There was a singular prominence about his bearded chin which marked a man who was not to be easily turned from his purpose. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews. as long as he is efficiently guarded?""Well. perfectly formed. but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream.--and away they went. matey. but there was that in the cool. Jones. 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.