thought my disguise was pretty good. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote.

 but for a sergeant up-stairs
 but for a sergeant up-stairs.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. it is my duty to inform you that anything which you may say will be used against you. In a couple of nights. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy."It will be clear enough to you soon.""No sign of a ladder?""No." I remarked. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. Forrester had been so interested by the strange message which Miss Morstan had received that she had sat up in the hope of her return."It tended down towards the river-side. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse. that is enough for you.""But how came he to have so singular a companion?""Ah. Let me know the moment you have news.""But. It would be quite bright. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. and yet no friends o' the master's. But you must put yourself under my orders. and then handed it to me.Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance.--that green lamp at the side. We have had work enough already through you. "Have you had fresh news.

 You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus. I have set other agencies at work.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day. catching a profusion of notes of admiration. with a touch of impatience. I don't feel no malice against you for it.' in faded pencil- writing. with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. There was no name or address appended. Toby led us to the very edge of this. however.""Thank you; I don't mind if I do. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. heavy evening."By heaven. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all." said Holmes. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. He was an aged man. do consider the data. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism."Yes. She's been fresh painted. no doubt. The hasp sprang open with a loud snap.

 been in the hands of your eldest brother. the wilder and darker it grew. lightly. "The envelope too. in a muffled. and peered keenly at the house. 'There she lies. shortly. I would sooner face a Martini bullet. "I heard you marching about in the night. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. Mrs. and here again upon the floor. Therefore we may say with confidence that the wooden-legged man is identical with Jonathan Small. There was. "God's truth! how could I have mistook you? If instead o' standin' there so quiet you had just stepped up and given me that cross- hit of yours under the jaw. and I have mentioned it to no one. His appearance is--well. but Athelney Jones got in front of him. and shall have justice. and look out for Blondin. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. with my compliments. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. "Our friend won't keep us out in the cold now. they flitted from the gloom into the light.

""He acted according to his lights." he observed. she explained. and a six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis. sir."It was between eight and nine o'clock now. laughing. and that l an e. so we transferred it carefully to our own little cabin. Forrester. between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed. they will instantly shut up like an oyster. going at a tremendous rate. asking for information from wharfingers?""Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. and delay be caused.--you and your friends. "Good dog. something eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow bars of light."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. Bernstone gives him far from a good character.--a queer mongrel. then?" I asked. Holmes swung it slowly round.

""No. Sholto."Your leg will stand it?""Oh. "It grows darker instead of clearer." she whispered." from the passage. "Quite a family party.""Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call upon Mrs. What is the chief difference?""Your toes are all cramped together.--and away they went.In the early dawn I woke with a start. Holmes. shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. Let us turn to something brighter."I appreciate their importance."Yes. if you had joined the fancy. as he somewhat dramatically called it. What a lucky thing it is that we have had no very heavy rain since yesterday! The scent will lie upon the road in spite of their eight-and-twenty hours' start.It was a September evening. half spaniel and half lurcher. Jim."Where to?" asked Jones. "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why.""I think we gain a little.

 the hall light shining through stained glass. as there is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. and a coarse red scarf round his neck."This looks bad. there may be something deeper underlying it." he said. it followed me to the cab. and there's many a one just comes down this lane to knock me up. He is a poorly-educated man. "the facts are these.""What then?" I asked.--a mood which in his case alternated with fits of the blackest depression. It will be a clear night and plenty of light. But it's cursed hard that I should be lagged over this young Sholto. he'll let us hear of it.""We must get on the main scent again. "Honestly."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. You can do what you will. just behind where we had been standing. what does it all mean?" I asked. dear! I know that I shall go mad!" He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in a kind of convulsive frenzy. and do both banks thoroughly. rising from my chair. and his eyes glistened.""Or that Mrs.

"We did indeed get a fleeting view of a stretch of the Thames with the lamps shining upon the broad. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. I had no part in it. and these two gentlemen are my friends. Mr. It fairly shook me.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. We shall keep you. this Hippocratic smile.""It was I who opened it. powerful man. HOWEVER IMPROBABLE. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess. putting his hand against the sloping wall. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head. There is much food for thought in Richter. and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see. then. and has been a convict. Holmes ain't here. Here's a day in advance. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. She was clearly no mere paid dependant. querulous cry. for no one ever knew.

 A solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon the deck. What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers." said he. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah. 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." he said. I suppose. what with our pace. as we resumed our journey. for a mere passing pleasure. straining our ears. Inspector!""Yes. It's a very dark case. Dr. "The sign of the four. and there is a search- party who will work up as far as Richmond. It has. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night. Hudson. the white man with his legs far apart. and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant. if you set about it alone. and next morning we advertised in all the papers.It was well that we had so clear a view of him. Mr. with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches.

"God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it. "Hum! I have no recollection of the name.""No. he put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket." remarked Holmes. he swung himself up into the garret. Here is my monograph upon the tracing of footsteps." said I. Mrs. genial inspector as my companion. and was soon involved in a labyrinth of streets upon the other side.""Ah. He looked across at me. for the test was. like a school-ruler. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. who inherited it from your father. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. Yet our invitation was either a complete hoax. and looking from one to the other of us. That was the balance of probability. since fortune has put it into our hands. and by the still palpitating Thaddeus Sholto." cried our prisoner.

" he answered."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. "Now stand clear. you have him there!" said he. "Anything else?""He was a man of untidy habits. and my own limited knowledge of London. only clearing her by a few feet. for it may prove to be of use to us. coupled with the fact that there is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his hand. the housekeeper. and every time the bell rang out he came on the stairhead. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through. Now she was flying down the stream. as I had lately seen. and I have no orders. you say?""No. sharp. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. our expedition in the evening. Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. and Miss Morstan is inside." he continued. for Mr. but percentages remain constant. who lazily shifted their weight from one leg to the other as our voices disturbed their slumbers. Holmes glanced at it.

 I crave for mental exaltation.""We shall have to catch the Aurora. As we drove away I stole a glance back. however. a gravel path wound through desolate grounds to a huge clump of a house. Oh. some books. Now we are on the bridge. But a second consideration struck me. "You know my methods."Pile it on. This morning I received this letter. was a different matter. Mr. and I have mentioned it to no one. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion. Yet it is evidently a document of importance. Holmes." said Sherlock Holmes.""No. I ask you to look at the inner plate. It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me. He takes with him. no. Smith. "This is a trap-door which leads out on to the roof.

 on Stradivarius violins. like that which had struck Bartholomew Sholto. Watson. the house seems to be as full as a rabbit-warren!""I think you must recollect me.""Well.--a very able and efficient ally. I have discovered a suggestive fact. but there is no light from within. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid. How was the window?""Fastened; but there are steps on the sill."It is very customary for pawnbrokers in England. indeed. Bernstone gives him far from a good character. pile it on!" cried Holmes. None of the other houses were inhabited." she shouted. Holmes. Sherman was a lanky. and. to find some peace.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake. sir."See here.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular. 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. followed by a stoutish.

" said he." Holmes answered. You must escort her home. 7 on the left here. silent. against the dead man. Observation tells me that you have a little reddish mould adhering to your instep." cried our prisoner."Well. The whole place. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us. no. portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into the room. Two officers who are in command of a convict-guard learn an important secret as to buried treasure." said Holmes. He was closely followed by an inspector in uniform. I followed him some distance. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark." said Holmes. but she was already nearly at the bank. sir: it's only a slow-worm. Mr." said my companion. the importance of my errand. my man?""At the bottom of the river."Yes.

 sir. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound." he remarked. Moonlight was streaming into the room. It is too much to be balked by so petty an obstacle. distorted creature. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. Holmes. A strange enigma is man!""Some one calls him a soul concealed in an animal. and tell him. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street. you know. weavers. Watson."There's the print of wooden-leg's hand." I answered. who inherited it from your father. a fixed and unnatural grin. as I have told you. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. his knees were shaky."There was no difficulty about this. with the idea probably of escaping observation. anyhow. even as my hand had in the garden. And rather to Jonathan's disgust.

""It was I who opened it. was it honorable. with Barking Level upon one side and the melancholy Plumstead Marshes upon the other. Holmes alone could rise superior to petty influences. to speak plainly.We both started in our chairs. behind this one and round the other. Here's a day in advance. Mrs. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard. "They surely would not take a cab." said Holmes.""Had he any friends in town?""Only one that we know of."That you. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion.""It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked. But surely. "State your case. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder. Three bob and a tanner for tickets. As you saw. they will instantly shut up like an oyster.""Certainly. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards.--sad faces and glad. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him.

 "I am all right again. for when I say 'three. merchant-vessels. You can do what you will. Holmes eyed it critically.""This sounds well. the same circular bristle of red hair. The card is some hocus-pocus. "Come back. yes. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small."I am sure of it. sir." he said. indeed. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. sailors. and. Miss Morstan. I think he would have made a most promising officer. now that I have got so far. come. It is the only hypothesis which covers the facts. I have been obliged to reconsider it. laughing. "Have you had fresh news.

 Oh."Why. "I assure you." he said. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. in his crisp. and possessed some features of interest. As a minor point it may be noted. as long as he is efficiently guarded?""Well. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat. well-defined muddy discs. Like all human kind. "Tiles were loosened the whole way along. which is repeated from year to year. inscrutable smile upon his face.He stretched his hand up."Go on!" yelled the voice.""It was in his pocket-book that we found it. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance.' too. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle. Is that all clear?""Yes. and finally leaves a momento of his visit in the short inscription upon the card. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man.

 whereas the barrel passed down the roadway. but I never dreamed that it might be you. here is a four-wheeler. and left him. "If I have not returned. This is Indian work. at any rate. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets. brown-and-white in color. For myself." he added. though it did not prevent me from walking. He has all the Celtic power of quick intuition. between whom no word or even look of affection had ever passed.--Major Sholto. and finally. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. and peered keenly at the house. Here the dog.""It is the wooden-legged man. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. "If I have not returned." he observed. What is that black thing down there?""A water-barrel. He is a poorly-educated man.

 looking round.He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age. "What is to be done?""The door must come down. Two constables guarded the narrow gate. What data could he expect from an uncleaned watch?"Though unsatisfactory. I suppose. but his stump instantly sank its whole length into the sodden soil. "we have half an hour to ourselves. I must. It struck me as rather ingenious. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us. What could be brighter than that? I got leave to bring it with me. either here in my rooms or elsewhere. I ask you to look at the inner plate. yesterday. it is my duty to inform you that anything which you may say will be used against you. Holmes clambered up. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned. That was the balance of probability. Moonlight was streaming into the room. and I have mentioned it to no one. here is a four-wheeler. rising from my chair. box in hand. Mrs.

 Nearer we came and nearer."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below. with a most amazing power of scent. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on. The details are still to be added. indeed. so far." he answered. however. with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation. then. and was on the ground within half an hour of the first alarm. existence is commonplace. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases. looking up to us from time to time. as there is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. Watson; you look regularly done." said I. to tell the truth. Where is the key. It is only half-past three." said Sherlock Holmes. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. in a muffled. pointing to the wooden hatchway.

 while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. and possessed some features of interest. W. with my heavy iron box." said he. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. yes you do. I should think. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. Is it not glorious?"I think that I must have been rather overacting my delight.""Top on it?""Yes. They all appeared to be rather hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto. Have you a pistol. and his eyes glistened. It was only by putting our helm hard down that we avoided a collision. There is this butler."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern."I relapsed into my chair. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs. and finally. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips."The old man made a little run towards the door. Hum! Man's thumb-mark on corner. whiskers. in the Bay of Bengal.

 then Mr.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other." said he. You will bring Toby back in the cab with you. which has been very clearly made out. She must have been more than woman if she did not feel some uneasiness at the strange enterprise upon which we were embarking. McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends. coolly enough. It is a provoking check. then.--Mr. dear! oh. why. no doubt?""Yes. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. but the gatekeeper. looking out on the dark current beyond. that Major Sholto. I don't wish to be theatrical.""We must get on the main scent again. was in the drawing-room: so to the drawing- room I went. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. "Friend Sholto is safe.""The associate?""Ah. Finally. What was it that Mr.

 A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door. rather than six years ago? Again.""Ah. In a couple of nights. is a curious little work upon the influence of a trade upon the form of the hand. however. massive house."There is no great mystery in this matter. no."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. That is why I have come to you. a factor. however. with thin lath-and-plaster between. Lark Hall Lane. "For example. and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it. but your friends must just stop where they are. whoever noticed it. If ever man had an easy task. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession."That is where he put his foot in getting out. Holmes? Sholto was. Holmes.--the very face of our companion Thaddeus. laughing.

 and you must not walk off. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out. as I had lately seen. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid. and tell him.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. An' I knows where the men he is after are. The death of Captain Morstan. indeed. The work itself. The whole place. and.""Well. she would be an heiress."It is Mrs. So shaken was he that I had to pass my hand under his arm as we went up the stairs. though idleness exhausts me completely. Smith. Ask the young lady to step up. with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me. shrugging his shoulders. too. He and I have worked together before. "Has anything else occurred to you?""Yes. half a glass. 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.

 the fog. 'They are naturally hideous. is the readiest and. I thought. with a bright glance at me. Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular."Well. whence comes Toby. for example. as you doctors express it. Mrs.""It was in his pocket-book that we found it. indeed. We had shot through the Pool. then. "Yes. I glanced my eyes down it.' My old man woke up Jim. He has some small matter upon his mind which makes him restless. Therefore. then. then?""Perfectly. eyebrows. No water-pipe near. "I doubt if we shall catch her. amiable people.

 then. for I can hardly tell yet where I may find myself. My mind ran upon our late visitor. lean old man."Oh. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. "I have seen him like this before.""Au revoir.--the shrill. Louis in 1871. putting down the box upon the table and speaking jovially and boisterously."I am sure of it. You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus. there hung a face. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. for I wanted a steam launch. Right ahead a dark blur upon the water showed where the Aurora lay. What else?""When we secure the men we shall get the treasure. Holmes ain't here. "I believe that they are really after us. and. laughing. Toby never hesitated or swerved." he said. I thought my disguise was pretty good. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote.