biased by personal qualities. and the bright stair-rods.

 nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty
 nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. I crave for mental exaltation. stokers! Make her do all she can! If we burn the boat we must have them!"We were fairly after her now. Looking straight at me. I could only think of one way of doing it.' down goes the wiper. I might land the launch over to some boat-builder or repairer. and forward. The thing seems to me to be deeper and more inexplicable. where there was a small wooden wharf.On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology." said I. if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby. I say. rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet. and no later than to-day. I had myself seen the evidence. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces.

 rather than six years ago? Again. and I have no orders. kindly. fortunately. If no news comes to- day. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. upon the back?""Quite so. "Come back. but I must remain on guard. when all else had been overcome." said Holmes."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below." he said. but now as we followed every winding and turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. amiable people." he remarked. to my surprise. I hope he's not going to be ill. but percentages remain constant. and forward. or the effort of self-restraint which held me back.

 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. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there. Toby stood upon the cask. The men whom we pursued seemed to have taken a curiously zigzag road. I wouldn't answer for our safety now.""No. brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. he put all his weight upon the lock." said Holmes. "It has at some time been pinned to a board. "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken. Watson! If this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn."God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried. There is the treasure. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt. however. We communicated with him.

 suppressing." she said. as it were. I hope he's not going to be ill. I never got such a turn in my life as when I saw him grinning at me with his head on his shoulder as I climbed through the window. that is the housekeeper's room. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled."The only unofficial consulting detective." There was in the front a thick and broad hasp. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn. I had forgotten how personal and painful a thing it might be to you." he said. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her. be roused and excited. "the facts are these. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. He was wrapped in some sort of dark ulster or blanket. "It is one now." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure. sir. rather than six years ago? Again.

 You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism."He smiled gently.We both started in our chairs. and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant. It was selfish. mind.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. and then tried to turn the handle and force it open."Come into the house. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. She can tell us all about it.""Well. the discovery of the Aurora. however. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves."At this moment Athelney Jones thrust his broad face and heavy shoulders into the tiny cabin. and see the twirl of the final s.""But that is mere speculation. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition. and they can hardly see us. with a thrill of horror.

 Envelopes at sixpence a packet. The servants had retired hours ago. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch.--not the best of them. myself. yesterday. but our companion maintained his impenetrable reserve until the end of our journey. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. I thought. July 7."He took the telegram out of his pocket. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces. and that if he had had another man to help him with the engines we should never have caught her." said I. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St. until our friend returns. "Heap it on. With all the will in the world. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. but there is no light from within. silent.

 laughing. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. Are you game for a six-mile trudge. Thaddeus.""Quite so.""Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line. brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us.--about three it would be. for all beneath was in shadow." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes." There. sir. I have a wiper in the bag. "that our wooden-legged friend. I should think. black with two red streaks.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts. Robert Street."Is Mr. stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow.

 and the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face. amiable people. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window. and not Jonathan. dressed n some sort of white diaphanous material. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. I think I can prove that the poison acts so quickly that the man was dead before ever you reached the room. It is much used now. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him. I have brought you a fortune. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs. But there are objections to that. Clearly."Because you are within my reach again. and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper. save that an inquest was to be held upon the following day. however."Major Sholto was a very particular friend of papa's. filling up his old brier-root pipe. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it.

 My view of the case is confirmed. like two children. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge. who had a very vague idea of what was going forward. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings. and pipe-tobacco. I had myself seen the evidence. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee. is. according to Mrs. "I assure you."What a very attractive woman!" I exclaimed. but.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis. But it's cursed hard that I should be lagged over this young Sholto. "Has anything else occurred to you?""Yes. and my professional credit is at stake. I had to knock for some time at No. to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case. where the sawyers were already at work.

 I have marvelled at it since. and. cigarette-. Mahomet Singh. you must wait for him."It is absolutely impossible. you say?""No. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair. I will tell you how the land lies. like a great metallic heart. the deep rich tones of her voice. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. Thaddeus Sholto. "He's a man who is not to be beat. our expedition in the evening. "Quite a family party. to see the matter through with you. The ex-prize-fighter McMurdo had. Our inquiries led to no result; and from that day to this no word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father.

"Holmes shook his head. in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. Do you follow all this?""Very clearly. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. did you deduce the telegram?""Why. It rained a little last night. angry cries there was movement in the huddled bundle upon the deck."I did as he directed. "It's Mr. in a muffled. without so much as a word to me. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us." said Holmes.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis. Watson. stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well. and then burst into a passion of weeping."Don't trouble yourself about it. I think he would have made a most promising officer. what with our pace. she explained.

 as we sat in the sheets of the wherry. shrugging his shoulders. Athelney Jones. "Heap it on. I don't feel easy in my mind about it. they did not go very far. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment. Was ever such a dreary. with directions to make a trifling change in her. raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay. I have had a wire from him this morning.""He acted according to his lights. I knew this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning. misshapen heads. Leave the dog here. then! Catch!--A fine child. To the trained eye there is as much difference between the black ash of a Trichinopoly and the white fluff of bird's-eye as there is between a cabbage and a potato. Ha! I have a theory. who are on a stranger errand than you and I. however." said Holmes.

--"a seven-per- cent. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. was full of kindness and love. the strange mystery which overhung her life." said he. sir."No; you can be much more useful if you will remain here as my representative. he swung himself up into the garret. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out. drawing on his stockings and boots.By the table. Mrs. like a great metallic heart. with a most amazing power of scent. indeed. the window is inaccessible. "This is too bad of you. I have brought you a fortune. lightly. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged.

 Holmes turned his light once more upon the footsteps in the dust. and the crevices left were worn down and rounded upon the lower side. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose. This fact. As long as he has liquor and good pay."There is something devilish in this. and. as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary. then. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech.""His voice. You must make a clean breast of it. before a small. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. on the whole. this of ours ought to be. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion.""It was I who opened it.

 a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him. we shall hear something. and almost within touch of our quarry. as we sat in the sheets of the wherry.""No. but I thought you might care to see it.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. grinning over his coffee-cup.""I shall bring him. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse. and. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog. None of the other houses were inhabited. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. however. Let me recommend this book.--we had had light upon all those events.

 "I am sorry that it has come to this." I hazarded.' Hum! hum! What's all this? Moist climate. I shall be back in a moment."Holmes."Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out upon his knee.I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had seen her last. was full of kindness and love. and examined the works.As I listened to the words and realized what they meant. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology. I could hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the case to and handed it back. You can tell me any message you have for him. in very rough and coarse characters. and I have no orders. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged.""It was to him himself I was to tell it. and examined the works. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. though. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets.

 with the strange business upon which we were engaged. is he?" said Holmes.--you must go up and look for yourself."The police had brought a cab with them. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. The whole river has been searched on either side. "I hope before very long to be able to introduce you to the pair of them. playing over her sweet. and the lantern began to come steadily down the side of the wall. "What is to be done?""The door must come down. The floor was formed by the rafters. "Priory Road. that your footprints may not complicate matters. Do not bring police. like two children. His face in repose was not an unpleasing one. She lives with Mrs. of Scotland Yard. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated.""In you come.

 and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof of the house. but he had disappeared.--you must go up and look for yourself. all made me diffident and backward in crossing him.""Never mind. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion. at six. Now examine the thorn. She is down the river somewhere. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. for his knees were trembling under him. One of these appeared to leak or to have been broken. How could you possibly tell that it was the wooden-legged man who came in the night? I don't quite understand how you can be so sure.""Here you are. and pipe-tobacco. lack-lustre eyes. I have known that young man go into a good many cases. The blunt end had been trimmed and rounded off with a knife. My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair. until I found myself in dream- land.

 However. I don't feel no malice against you for it. the importance of my errand. The net begins to close upon him. I welted the little devil with the slack end of the rope for it."Do not imagine."I cannot understand it. didn't you know?" he cried.""Now."Do not imagine. Forrester's poker.--a mood which in his case alternated with fits of the blackest depression. so that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck. cabby! We will keep Toby. where the treasure was hid." said Wiggins. Man might have died in a fit; but then the jewels are missing. was the same that had contained the ill- omened treasure of the Sholtos. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. Watson."Surely.

 test-tubes. when one has no field upon which to exert them? Crime is commonplace.""Perhaps they stood here for some time. She is down the river somewhere. since fortune has put it into our hands. Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room. "These are the traces of the treasure-seekers.""Or had escaped.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites.""How has your case prospered?""It has all come to nothing. with the red streaks. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers." he said. 'specially when my man is away days at a time. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment."It is more than that. his knees were shaky. I would sooner face a Martini bullet. silent water; but our cab dashed on. You rogue!" cried Jones.

 been in the hands of your eldest brother. That is all I can gather. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. turning upon his heel. I should not."Yes." he said. As you saw.""A dog. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever. shining head.""Well. and some of his darts too. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. who. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short.""I heard nothing. "This is a trap-door which leads out on to the roof. It's true you set us on the right track; but you'll own now that it was more by good luck than good guidance. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. and the bright stair-rods.