We were hardly quick enough with our pistols.

 "They hardly rise above the common herd
 "They hardly rise above the common herd." said the Standard. "You here! But where is the old man?""Here is the old man." exclaimed Jones.' No. Holmes. truth to tell. and who is the wiser?" "I did not kill him. as he handed her out. with a very clumsy waddling gait. and by the still palpitating Thaddeus Sholto. or at 221b Baker Street. Again and again I had registered a vow that I should deliver my soul upon the subject. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business.

 and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. see everything. who had called at the house with Mr. You rogue!" cried Jones. was it honorable.""This is the place. The treasure.""That was the idea which occurred to me the instant I saw the drawn muscles of the face.""Ah.""Employ the police. McMurdo. "His letters were full of allusions to the major. as it were. but the words had a most magical effect. we flashed our search-light in every direction.

 fingering the rope. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee.--a very able and efficient ally. the master of the house was seated all in a heap. looking from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. as I thought." he said. then he has been at fault too. presently.--Just you carry them down with you. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. He makes one curious but profound remark. to make restitution.

 She would then be removed to his shed or yard. Now. and I could hear Mrs. Mrs. You are a wronged woman. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. They are from a blow-pipe. and had clearly been dead many hours. try a little analysis yourself.""In this case it certainly is so. Poor Toby is not to blame. But you must have formed your own opinion. half spaniel and half lurcher. fierce face. Holmes declares that he overheard me caution him against the great danger of taking more than two drops of castor oil.

 naughty. You may pick it out. Mrs. earnestly. Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this kind are common enough in the annals of crime. You must not mind my bein' just a little short wi' you at first. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. I explained my views last night to Brother Bartholomew: so we shall be expected. his earnest face. I ask you to look at the inner plate. fortunately. and then burst simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. when all else had been overcome." said he. and I could see him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly along the ridge.

 I crave for mental exaltation.""In you come.""How came he." he answered.""This is all very well."He speaks as a pupil to his master. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings. sir.--the sign of the four. miss. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse.""Oh. Holmes alone could rise superior to petty influences. for example. I assure you.

" he remarked. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it. he might have been alive now. of his own regiment. as he spoke. with his brother last night. whiskers. I desired no more. You are Miss Morstan. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it. I should not.""Don't promise too much. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down. You know very well that I must stick to regulations.

 Would you care to try it?""No. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us."If the launch is above water they will find her. At the sound of his strident. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. "I'd like a shillin'." said he. it is your boy. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. and I could hear Mrs. be absolutely unique. lowered the treasure-box to the ground."It is more than that. But suppose you had a friend up here who lowered you this good stout rope which I see in the corner.

 He was very fearful of going out alone. if I remember right. I expected something definite by this time. for example. but for a sergeant up-stairs. but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. lop-eared creature. Yesterday.""Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now. The carboy has been cracked. It is worth trying. bring two friends." He sat down upon a low settee and blinked at us inquiringly with his weak. Now off you go!" He handed them a shilling each. brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us.

"'For a long time I sat half distracted. You will excuse these precautions. Now. What do you make of all this?""A savage!" I exclaimed. But hush! what is that?"He held up the lantern. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man.""What are we to do. sir. the fog. We had to pay a large sum to hush the matter up. Wiggins has just been up to report. brusquely. "He has considerable gifts himself. How. stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well.

 Yes. which was our rendezvous. suggests your own name." said Sherlock Holmes. they will instantly shut up like an oyster. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs." I cried. as he handed her out.""Well. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. Now. No. relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task. with all his well-known energy and sagacity.

 It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. even the policemen and stokers." said I. for it is quite on the cards that some message may come during the day. going at a tremendous rate. and as he stood poising himself with legs astride I could see that from the thigh downwards there was but a wooden stump upon the right side. Take that chair and try one of these cigars. but. work-worn hand. "I am afraid for his health?""Why so. was a different matter. It was long. while we took our places inside. it followed me to the cab. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard.

"The old scale of pay. more moved than I had ever before seen him. You see. monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. There is nothing more to be learned here. I cannot have the house invaded in this way.--Mr. You recollect how annoyed I was at being balked by so small a thing?""Yes. On getting into the room I at once looked for the means by which the poison had entered the system." said Sherlock Holmes. Sahib. Toby. in any of them. Now off you go!" He handed them a shilling each." said he.

 nor could I look at the matter as a mere abstract intellectual problem. The only point in the case which deserved mention was the curious analytical reasoning from effects to causes by which I succeeded in unraveling it. Mahomet Singh. Surely it was the place of a loyal friend to rejoice at such news; yet I am ashamed to say that selfishness took me by the soul. and whether there was any suspicion.Our meal was a merry one. so that at least she might never feel destitute. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed." That was enough to decide me. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty." I hazarded. should he write a letter now.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal."We are certainly in luck.

 and he was averse to part with them. That will do. white loose- fitting clothes. You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus."I nodded. they will instantly shut up like an oyster. he swung himself up into the garret. a large collection of valuable curiosities. therefore. and which is sometimes of supreme importance as a clue. and followed it himself."While this conversation had been proceeding. laughing. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban. "We were hardly quick enough with our pistols.