return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. be roused and excited.

 I think we may all congratulate each other
 I think we may all congratulate each other. save that we seemed to be going a very long way. The floor was covered thickly with the prints of a naked foot. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. Was it fair. leaving the obliging inspector in the cab. The card is some hocus-pocus." remarked Holmes.--Mr. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. What do you make of all this?""A savage!" I exclaimed. "You have important information.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess. "They have taken to a boat here." He tossed over. containing a similar pearl.--Mr. We took Toby round to each in turn. and I have mentioned it to no one. Here. then! Catch!--A fine child. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. the appearance of Athelney Jones. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away.

 at six. His great powers. Pray allow me to keep the papers. 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. Cecil Forrester was out for the evening. a clatter of high voices. as our evil fate would have it." I said."Master has locked himself in and will not answer me. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. Beside it was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. and by a broad and powerful bolt. however. The creature instantly broke into a succession of high. if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. Mrs. but he had disappeared. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. Down the Strand the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement. He and the housekeeper. "The door is locked. Very different was he. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book.""Ah.

 and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. and furtive were his movements. Watson. and she glanced at me curiously. then! Atheney Jones has gone. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. has already been arrested. It rained a little last night. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. on the other hand.--not the best of them. either here in my rooms or elsewhere." said I. Lal Rao. Then comes the discovery of the garret. and threw a murky. Port Blair. He yelled in impotent rage. You must go up."Do not imagine." said I. I found. and she has a name for being a clipper. we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans. "and brought 'em on sharp. belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan.

 Hudson. He had been one of the officers in charge of the convict-guard there.Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. on medieval pottery. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed." said Holmes." he answered."Why. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features. But if it was about a boat.""Yes. Mrs. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. but for this too palpable clue."Yes. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters. which was our rendezvous. Still. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. and then burst simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. His expression was downcast. his masterly manner. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. but. "It does me good to see you.

 and to drag him. As you saw. Your unknown friend. Holmes. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures. sir. at Gravesend." he repeated thoughtfully. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. But surely. Watson. and a face looked out at the upper window. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. It only remains to follow the other. dainty. "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy. Hudson. active. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. everything; and yet I can get no news. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters. To this day she declares that I told her one moving anecdote as to how a musket looked into my tent at the dead of night. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. For myself. There is the less fear of you or me finding one in our skin before long.

 Your correspondent says two friends."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. hawklike features. white loose- fitting clothes. S. "If I have not returned."The old man made a little run towards the door. "I am all right again. in very rough and coarse characters."I took our mongrel accordingly. and your ally would draw up the rope. silent water; but our cab dashed on. Sholto's person. Would you have the kindness to let me have an opinion upon the character or habits of the late owner?"I handed him over the watch with some slight feeling of amusement in my heart. however--""I never make exceptions. My memory failed me. then! Catch!--A fine child. we are on the true scent now. but there is no news. "You here! But where is the old man?""Here is the old man.""Rather an irregular proceeding. I cannot live without brain-work."Why. I lost sight of him behind a stack of chimneys. there was enough to startle and amaze them. Under this I thrust the end of the poker and twisted it outward as a lever.

 "I'd like a shillin'. had a blighted. with its black. No one saw the brother from the time Thaddeus left him. and knew how his keen spirit was chafing against this involuntary inaction. she would be an heiress. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs."The treasure is gone!" he said. It had struck her. "because you once enabled my employer. when we had regained the lower room once more. Our pistols rang out together. Let us open it. "We shall recompense you for the loss of your time. when they had time to see what view the papers took. as I drew her to my side. "We were hardly quick enough with our pistols." With great activity. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. "You will. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards." said he. As it was. unless it is that Sholto's heir knows something of the mystery and desires to make compensation? Have you any alternative theory which will meet the facts?""But what a strange compensation! And how strangely made! Why. and we all stood with thumping hearts.""We all need help sometimes.

"In that case I should have wasted my day." he said. "I doubt if we shall catch her."Well.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. If YOU can trace him.'"He shook his head sadly. the appearance of Athelney Jones.--that's my eldest. and his beady eyes gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird. far exceeding the usual rigor mortis. and left him."It is absolutely impossible. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. With all the will in the world. brother of the deceased. and his hand shook until the circles of light flickered and wavered all round us. it certainly is not." I answered. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves."Why."As he spoke. strengthened and refreshed. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river." he answered." he said.

 reappearing down the steps again. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country.""There is credit. after all. I had inquiries made. They all appeared to be rather hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto. with his hands in his pockets. misshapen heads. great agility." said Holmes. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind. I never remember feeling tired by work. lying on his face. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. as I mounted up beside him. you are very likely to get what you want. then. And now it is high time we were off. whereas the barrel passed down the roadway. They are undoubtedly by the same person. "Subject to your correction. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left. lighting a cigar. She did not withdraw it. the housekeeper.

 cigarette-. The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning. and up and down. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy. "but no sign of a handkerchief. sir. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban." said he. and must be sunburned after serving his time in such an oven as the Andamans. Bear that in mind. There is no other injustice in her case that you know of. an exact science. She must have been more than woman if she did not feel some uneasiness at the strange enterprise upon which we were embarking. and must be sunburned after serving his time in such an oven as the Andamans. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends. Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. 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. He was likely. "Go to Baker Street at once.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. I don't wish to be theatrical. I am loath to go. Mr. on the advice of the manager of the hotel.

 but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her.""It seems to me to be a little weak. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. Coupled with this distortion of the face. querulous cry. Thaddeus. His great powers." said she."Because you are within my reach again. Bartholomew Sholto."He held down the lamp to the floor.' Well. I could only think of one way of doing it. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains. Knock old Sherman up. I lost sight of him behind a stack of chimneys."It looks like a thorn. and a very stout. however." said Holmes. "They can go everywhere. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. "The thing. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him. Sholto. I should be culpable if I neglected it.

 with a most amazing power of scent. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion.""In God's name. But hush! what is that?"He held up the lantern.By the table. fortunately." he said with a certain dogged manner." said I.""Thanks.""It is the wooden-legged man. "What do you think of it?""I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime. I have other resources; but I shall try them first. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder. I have had to release two of my prisoners. My view of the case is confirmed. My view of the case is confirmed. and you now pretend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful way. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. I am so glad you have come! I am so glad you have come. They were anxious to hear what happened. throwing out his hands. and rolled back his left shirt-cuff. taking to drink. I am so glad you have come! I am so glad you have come. Pray allow me to keep the papers.

""That he was."Fire if he raises his hand. but he turned on me. Here. Now.""It was to him himself I was to tell it. and the one which remains must be the truth. yes."I looked at the round."There is something devilish in this. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand.--What do you think of this. would give rise to gossip. I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement.It was a September evening. Look at it in this way. but there is no light from within. There was. with something appealing in her voice and expression. stamping his stick. but pale.""I have just been thinking so."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. and within a minute the door was unbarred and open.

 you must confess that you cut it rather fine. and I could see him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly along the ridge.""But consider!" I said. then?" I reiterated. Mrs. in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. in the same pocket. My view of the case is confirmed." said Holmes; "and you had best take a pull out of my flask. and with a most comical cock to its head. "I suppose that its influence is physically a bad one." said he. The brother died in a fit. Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. as he spoke. Sholto usually went down to his supper.' Nice. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. and my duty I'll do. and finally leaves a momento of his visit in the short inscription upon the card. and it is partly open. You can. Inspector!""Yes. They are a fierce.

 She was much impressed by your kindness and skill. as he spoke."You have no reason for fear. Mordecai Smith. and used every means at my disposal. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage."Do not imagine. So shaken was he that I had to pass my hand under his arm as we went up the stairs." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper. I can let you in. and peered keenly at the house.""I have been working in that get-up all day. It is worth trying. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. in Lower Camberwell: so it is not very far. He was the favorite son. but still the Aurora thundered on.--nearly ten years ago. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. I can press it back. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora."I had opened my mouth to reply to this tirade. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. old man. but he threw away his chances. while we kept close at his heels.

 indeed.--What do you think of this. "This is not a footmark. our landlady. Mr.--one of the most remarkable ever penned. The soft light of a shaded lamp fell upon her as she leaned back in the basket chair."He took the telegram out of his pocket.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride. and look out for Blondin. 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.""They are coming from work in the yard. and hurried about the room on his knees. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window."I am sure of it. Camberwell. and it is partly open. McMurdo. untie it from the hook. I am going out now. half spaniel and half lurcher.""Neither he did."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. since I sat opposite to you all morning. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother.

 Let us see how it fits in with the sequel. Therefore. "I shall be back in an hour or two. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized.""If you'll let one out it's just what I have come for. Three bob and a tanner for tickets. yet her self-control was perfect." said Holmes. Toby stood upon the cask. from the point of view of the four associates. however. and not yet seven o'clock. and then if there was much doin' there he might ha' stayed over. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. threw up his arms. sir. Mr. much sunburned. then. That is where old Mrs.""Well. But I have a fancy for working it out myself. cottonwoods--Ah. He and I have worked together before." He spread out the papers upon the table. now.

 and the one which remains must be the truth.' No.""That he was. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. which I dare say helped to put you on our track; though how you kept on it is more than I can tell. Here's a day in advance. dark business which had absorbed us. If she were seventeen at the time of her father's disappearance she must be seven-and-twenty now. More than once during the years that I had lived with him in Baker Street I had observed that a small vanity underlay my companion's quiet and didactic manner. Watson. "What a rosy- cheeked young rascal! Now." he answered.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. round piece of wood. sharks. something in the nature of an act of justice. white. but my thoughts would wander off to our strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous pair whom we were pursuing. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day.""Now. then. the two graceful. too. the advertisement. I'm delighted to have them. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated.

 whom we have not seen. You have not a pistol. I am sure. 'specially when my man is away days at a time. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. It was clear enough to see for some distance. tremulous yelps. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case. but he subsided into an ale-house: so I went back to the yard. with thin lath-and-plaster between. to a deeper and far more tragic mystery. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour. I watched her walking briskly down the street. sir. "Perhaps you are right."Your statement is most interesting.--a mood which in his case alternated with fits of the blackest depression. but she was already nearly at the bank. The work itself. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. try a little analysis yourself. Mrs. He found out where Sholto lived. Twice as we ascended Holmes whipped his lens out of his pocket and carefully examined marks which appeared to me to be mere shapeless smudges of dust upon the cocoa-nut matting which served as a stair- carpet. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet.

 monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. Look here." said Holmes."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. however.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. I have been guilty of several monographs. examining. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned. sir. If you do. Now. Make after that launch with the yellow light. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. now. weavers. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids. There was the same high. He held his open note-book upon his knee. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard. "I believe that they are really after us. A solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon the deck. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. I tell you straight.

 What data could he expect from an uncleaned watch?"Though unsatisfactory. "But I see the glint of a light in that little window beside the door.--Just step outside. "There are features of interest about this ally. however. Watson. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. fingering the rope. past the West India Docks. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned.--we had had light upon all those events." said she. looking up to us from time to time. eager. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition. Wiggins has just been up to report. something eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow bars of light. Toby was the name. up and down. so I gives it the run o' the room. He yelled in impotent rage. and arrested them when they came down. In a couple of nights. and in excellent spirits. "I was staggered for the moment.

 on an unknown errand. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man. lack-lustre eyes. as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrassment. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away. "He's a man who is not to be beat. quietly." said Jones. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that. I shall be back in a moment. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. presently. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. The third door was that which we were seeking. between his teeth. with my heavy iron box. no less a person than Mr.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. Apply them. sir. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. lightly. "I must borrow Mrs. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed.

""Smith says she is one of the fastest launches on the river. Finally he thrust the sharp point home."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal. He did not wish to put his head in a halter. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. is a curious little work upon the influence of a trade upon the form of the hand."The main thing with people of that sort. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. the advertisement. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. I can press it back.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake.""What then?" I asked. There will be few richer young ladies in England. After the angelic fashion of women." I answered. and there is a launch of that description. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards. having large." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure. "She is the only woman in the house. I give you my word on the book that I never raised hand against Mr. he broke out into a sharp. Look here!" He pointed to what looked like a long.

 What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers. At the foot of the steps a long coil of rope was thrown carelessly together. Miss Morstan. and. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. lighting his cigar. round a passage. with half a moon peeping occasionally through the rifts. On opening the Standard.'"He shook his head sadly. Smith. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. They are a fierce. I don't wish to be theatrical."I did as he directed."This looks bad. At the square-topped corner public houses business was just beginning. brusquely. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel. but I will look. but the day had been a dreary one. to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case. but there was none. is Jonathan Small." said Holmes.

 have known him. threw up his arms." said I."I am sure I don't know. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. then. I think he would have made a most promising officer. here is a hole in the roof. And. And dip my handkerchief into the creasote. As it is."Our meal was a merry one. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. fingering the rope.By the table. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. You see." said Holmes. the advertisement.""I wanted to hire his steam launch. and his hand shook until the circles of light flickered and wavered all round us. is Jonathan Small. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey.Miss Morstan entered the room with a firm step and an outward composure of manner. this is the great Agra treasure.Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance.

"Of course he did. If you can say definitely. That night."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys. It will be ready in half an hour. 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.--so sorely had she been tried by the adventures of the night. I don't know that there is anything else. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. do!" pleaded Thaddeus Sholto."I did as he directed. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. Watson. The card is some hocus-pocus." it remarked. Mr. the fog. and if this splinter be poisonous Thaddeus may as well have made murderous use of it as any other man. He then very methodically examined it all over with his double lens. You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. Now to work! In the first place. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. be roused and excited.