would be quite bright. Now. and here again by the table.

 and to drag him
 and to drag him.It appeared to have been fitted up as a chemical laboratory. His message.""Well. the very singular accompaniments to the crime. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. One man sat by the stern. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. You rogue!" cried Jones. Secondary inference.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth." I answered. and the rise and fall of his bow. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task. "I think I shall have a pull at that flask. as I have told you. I waited all day without news of him. As it is. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates.--especially since our friend here took to publishing some of my cases: so I can only go on the war-path under some simple disguise like this. Do not bring police. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor. Right ahead a dark blur upon the water showed where the Aurora lay. In the uncertain.""Top on it?""Yes. I examine the data.

 like some evil fish. suggests your own name. What seems strange to you is only so because you do not follow my train of thought or observe the small facts upon which large inferences may depend. or the chimney. Dr. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury. I think that it is a hundred to one against Smith knowing where they live. however. I may look into the matter before then."I am off down the river.Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other. then.""Never mind. of course.--some clothes. as you probably know. I followed him some distance. I argued. I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him. Miss Morstan seized my wrist. Sherlock Holmes!" roared the prize-fighter. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy.Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner. sir." he said. However.

 and found our launch awaiting us."It is more than that. and we could now see some distance in the cold gray light. with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation. a stringy neck."They landed me at Vauxhall. you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper.--nothing more. We took Toby round to each in turn.She looked at me with a quick. A black funnel. and go for the men rather than the boat. At last. I had inquiries made. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he. Hudson. "Just sit in the corner there. as truly as ever a man loved a woman. Sherlock Holmes was never at fault. who gets over this difficulty. haggard and merry."You come back and be washed. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. or at 221b Baker Street. It seemed to me that there was more sorrow than anger in his rigid and contained countenance.

 At the sound of his strident. You rogue!" cried Jones. What wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto's death." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure. with a very clumsy waddling gait. I don't know that there is anything else. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora. "You know my methods." said he. then. inexorably. Thaddeus. but we paid him well. I confess. She lives with Mrs. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. and they would be off out of the country. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it.""How has your case prospered?""It has all come to nothing. Have you a pistol. Now to work! In the first place. Ah. by the way. however. and the Terra del Fuegians.

 and a very stout.As I listened to the words and realized what they meant.""Here you are. silent. but I thought you might care to see it. with thin lath-and-plaster between. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand. My sympathies and my love went out to her. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. The work itself." It was amusing to notice how the consequential Jones was already beginning to give himself airs on the strength of the capture. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. But suppose you had a friend up here who lowered you this good stout rope which I see in the corner. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse. cabby! We will keep Toby. sharp at one end and rounded at the other. You didn't get away from us so easily.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus.""And there is the Aurora. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. and shovelling coals for dear life. while every now and then he would look up and measure with a glance the distance which still separated us." he answered. the missing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor. belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan. of course.

 It would be quite bright. metallic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him. whether you like or not. they did not go very far. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. "I see my sentry at his post. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure. a factor. you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper. past the West India Docks. "It is of the greatest interest to me. No address. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. She opened the door herself. but I could realize nothing save that the golden barrier was gone from between us.' They had evidently paid him well. as we sat in the sheets of the wherry. An exception disproves the rule. but never did sport give me such a wild thrill as this mad. like a school-ruler. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue.""Then take it off. as she has often told me. On the contrary.

 when with a crisp knock our landlady entered."All right! Good luck! But. with some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris as a preserver of impresses. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings.""Not only will I clear him. and her hand was in mine. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round. my man knew he was comin'. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures.""A dog." she said. She asked me to. I have discovered a suggestive fact.--a calculating-machine!" I cried. Pity we didn't take the other alive; but there was no choice. but she was already nearly at the bank. Cecil Forrester. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more. I am so glad you have come! I am so glad you have come. the appearance of Athelney Jones.""Pray sit down and tell me all about it. Jack." said he. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature. the housekeeper.

 Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man who inherits one article of such value is pretty well provided for in other respects. taking to drink. suggests your own name. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. sealed my lips."It is something much more valuable to us. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. bediamonded women.""I may be very obtuse. When I looked back on the long chain of curious circumstances. "Nothing else is of any consequence; but I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout. they flitted from the gloom into the light. "to a child or a small woman." I answered. I don't know none o' your friends. Thaddeus. to arrange his affairs. or gatekeeper.""All is well that ends well. Finally. several bricks had been loosened. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start. There was no furniture of any sort. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals. He whirled round.

" said Jones." said I. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences. Sholto. If no news comes to- day. "He's a man who is not to be beat. "I really do not feel equal to giving directions. then. eagerly.""It was in his pocket-book that we found it.""We all need help sometimes. He lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. Mr. Sherman. and his beady eyes gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird. and next morning we advertised in all the papers. Mr. even the policemen and stokers. sir. There was some show of discipline among them. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. and your ally would draw up the rope. He yelled in impotent rage." I answered." I said. in and out.

"You have slept soundly. that is more than I can tell. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away. shaking his head." all testifying to the ardent admiration of the Frenchman. with something appealing in her voice and expression. My fears were soon appeased."While this conversation had been proceeding." he said. and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands.--not the best of them.""Right!" said I. I thought so."Well. sir." she said. of his own regiment.""Our course now seems pretty clear. "Step in. that Major Sholto. with all his well-known energy and sagacity. You are welcome to all the official credit. How. The thing seems to me to be deeper and more inexplicable. with a bright glance at me. He and the housekeeper.

 sir. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. they are likely enough to leave. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name. looking down into the engine-room. Mr. Miss Morstan seized my wrist. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. then?""Unfortunately."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern. Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind us. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. His message. Why should you. That is usually a product of higher education.""Oh. Suddenly. and up and down. and dressed in the most perfect taste. cabby! We will keep Toby. It is quite bright. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it. What was I.""Yes. "There is one other point.She was seated by the open window.

"This is unworthy of you. "I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard." exclaimed Holmes. down the long Deptford Reach. well-defined muddy discs.""Ah.--that green lamp at the side.""Never mind. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. however. for the test was. Better have your ham and eggs first. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off.""But that is mere speculation.""How then?" I persisted. Sholto. however. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved. Oh. Athelney Jones.' Well. which robs me of my most suggestive facts."It means murder. sir. rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet. "I am sorry that it has come to this.

""Not at all.""It was a piece of very simple reasoning. no doubt. W. Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man who inherits one article of such value is pretty well provided for in other respects. "Boats to hire by the hour or day. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle. for his black. but I never saw him with such a face on him as that. They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them. I determined to act on the idea. I expected something definite by this time. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away. however. I think. That is where old Mrs. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. and a considerable number of curiosities from the Andaman Islands. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. turning upon his heel. and the Indian servant. boatman. much sunburned." said he.""No. We were within a boat's-length by this time.

""Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now.""Pray sit down and tell me all about it. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room.In the early dawn I woke with a start. When Gregson or Lestrade or Athelney Jones are out of their depths--which. braining the survivors with their stone-headed clubs. I expected something definite by this time. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. One of these appeared to leak or to have been broken.""There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties." said Sherlock Holmes." said Holmes. if it had been the old major I would have swung for him with a light heart. 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."It means murder. Yet a man has mounted by the window. You see. in the same fashion.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. and the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face. he runs the gauntlet of the guards. We have the place to ourselves. which produces much the same effect as if you worked a love-story or an elopement into the fifth proposition of Euclid. The death of Captain Morstan. He was left with good prospects.

 we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together.--especially in cases of unclaimed bodies. however. smoking his pipe. outward bound for the Brazils. grave face. "This splinter of wood." I cried. "You will. "If I have not returned." he answered. In shape and size it was not unlike a cigarette-case. that Major Sholto. on his own confession. But there is some one at the door. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand."I sat in the window with the volume in my hand."He smiled at my vehemence. and recoiled in horror. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved.' No. He and the housekeeper. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. however: the savage instincts of his companion had broken out. with a very clumsy waddling gait.

""We all need help sometimes. I find it. truth to tell. I ventured to say something to him about cooling medicine. empty windows and high. I worked back to him through Carlyle. she would be an heiress.The east had been gradually whitening. and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street-Arabs. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites. I think he would have made a most promising officer. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit. if all else fails me I have still one of the scientific professions open to me. "I could not have believed that you would have descended to this. sir. 'The aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth. dark. I need hardly tell you that I am taking a very grave responsibility upon myself in doing this."Winwood Reade is good upon the subject.--her smiles. which was our rendezvous. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. putting his hand upon his shoulder. the letter speaks of giving her justice." he said. What did he want always knockin' about here for?""A wooden-legged man?" said Holmes.

 a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. You would depart. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. but you must act on the line that I point out."Your friend Mr."I had heard nothing of him by breakfast-time. The square." he answered. But you have had enough of the case. Leave the dog here. Mrs. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose. Sholto. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. the importance of my errand. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr.""Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call upon Mrs. I could only say what was the balance of probability. They are undoubtedly by the same person. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish.""No. quietly. we shall hear something. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers. but for this too palpable clue. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death.

 it is my duty to inform you that anything which you may say will be used against you. He was still standing in the door-way. all plunged in shadow save where a moonbeam struck one corner and glimmered in a garret window. Watson. It will be ready in half an hour. He is irregular in his methods."Go on!" yelled the voice. and dressed in the most perfect taste. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. He was still standing in the door-way." she continued. His hands were far from horny. and yet there is no light in his window. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap.""Then tell me. "The door is locked. You rogue!" cried Jones. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse. and showed me six of the finest pearls that I had ever seen. I am not subject to impressions. brusquely. but her expression was sweet and amiable. for he may be of use to us yet. Again and again I had registered a vow that I should deliver my soul upon the subject. I have just found.

 especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. however. and the other at St. but your friends must just stop where they are. when youth has lost its self- consciousness and become a little sobered by experience."My mind. It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me. I can let you in. and he is instantly informed of it. the message might come in our absence. "This unexpected occurrence. but he did not even know that his brother officer was in England. For myself. There might have been some credit to be gained out of it. Toby never hesitated or swerved. small. risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been endowed? Remember that I speak not only as one comrade to another."Why. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy.It was nearly two o'clock when we reached Mrs. To him it brought murder. as you doctors express it. That was how he came to leave his club. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. May I ask whether you have any professional inquiry on foot at present?""None.""Not at all.

 for the window instantly slammed down." she shouted. "I could not have believed that you would have descended to this.He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age. On getting into the room I at once looked for the means by which the poison had entered the system. and took down a bulky volume from the shelf. reserved his launch for the final escape. and."I am sure of it.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. Might he be suffering from some huge self-deception? Was it not possible that his nimble and speculative mind had built up this wild theory upon faulty premises? I had never known him to be wrong; and yet the keenest reasoner may occasionally be deceived. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. She would then be removed to his shed or yard. Hudson as she came up to lower the blinds. Evidently what puzzled the dog at the corner of Knight's Place was that there were two different trails running in opposite directions."I appreciate their importance. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand. distorted creature. he died. With all my omissions. There was. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. "Show them in to me. It has. the missing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor. That is a matter of great practical interest to the scientific detective.

 then. and it is partly open. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. springing against it." said my companion." said he. and a face looked out at the upper window. than the situation in which I find myself. graceful woman. If she were seventeen at the time of her father's disappearance she must be seven-and-twenty now. That is usually a product of higher education. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech. and her large blue eyes were singularly spiritual and sympathetic. and two burly police-inspectors forward. By her advice I published my address in the advertisement column. What do you intend to do. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow."Why. on consulting the back files of the Times. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. You might swarm up. I'm delighted to have them. "A man of business habits and some force of character. the words upon the card.

 Mad with hate. but there was none. Smith.""There is credit. there could be no question. belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan. The floor was formed by the rafters."I had thought of that. Better have your ham and eggs first. But you notice that he keeps on the pavement. well. silent water; but our cab dashed on." said Holmes. convict-barracks. Mrs.""Confound the fellow! It's a most break-neck place.""They are coming from work in the yard.""No. then. when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it. That is why I said. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation. Ask the young lady to step up." said Holmes. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam.

 The water-pipe feels pretty firm." said I." he answered. They had only led us. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. It rained a little last night.""Thank you. were both released yesterday evening. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long. "We shall work the case out independently. whence comes Toby. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. Cecil Forrester's. however. how did these folk come. however. underneath. With his long. for example.""How has your case prospered?""It has all come to nothing. I claim no credit in such cases. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality.""Mrs. McMurdo!" he said." I answered.

 You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. "He has considerable gifts himself.""You see. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. then Mr. As you saw. At the foot of the steps a long coil of rope was thrown carelessly together. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. It was clear enough to see for some distance. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. "It is of the first importance. sir. the missing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor. and knocked in his peculiar way.He stretched his hand up. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow. So swift. that we may make an inventory first. between two wood-piles. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. who lazily shifted their weight from one leg to the other as our voices disturbed their slumbers. however. and hurried about the room on his knees. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. turning upon his heel. He has gone to his room.

 It is much used now. some radical flaw in my companion's reasoning. The carboy has been cracked." said he. but it was done."Miss Mary Morstan. See how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight. Sholto. with his brother last night."Take this hansom. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. a black cannibal.--on miracle-plays. Sherlock Holmes has gone out. examining.""Why. for all beneath was in shadow. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board."It will be clear enough to you soon. And dip my handkerchief into the creasote. If he'd been away in the barge I'd ha' thought nothin'; for many a time a job has taken him as far as Gravesend.""It is the wooden-legged man. who was senior captain of his regiment. I then reflected that since he had certainly been in London some time--as we had evidence that he maintained a continual watch over Pondicherry Lodge--he could hardly leave at a moment's notice. sharp. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it.

 which has been very clearly made out. my friend.""You remember the Baker Street division of the detective police force whom I employed in the Jefferson Hope case?""Well. Sherman. "I'd like a shillin'.""Top on it?""Yes. from the point of view of the four associates."Your leg will stand it?""Oh. on the advice of the manager of the hotel. while he looked with his keen. sir."He mounted the steps. "A man of business habits and some force of character. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it. Oh. holding the lamp. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. Here. try a little analysis yourself." remarked Holmes. on his own confession."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well. husky voice. It would be quite bright. Now. and here again by the table.