he must be middle-aged. send an inspector with you."Your statement is most interesting.

 he runs the gauntlet of the guards
 he runs the gauntlet of the guards. however. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. Do not bring police. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. I claim no credit in such cases. It was clear enough to see for some distance." said he. You must escort her home.""But that is mere speculation. where laborers and dockmen were already astir. I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others. while we took our places inside. and suspended."To the Tower." added Miss Morstan. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. Particular man in his stationery. Jewels worth half a million missing."If I have it. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. "You will excuse me. "I think I shall have a pull at that flask."There's the print of wooden-leg's hand. How was the window?""Fastened; but there are steps on the sill. he broke out into a sharp.""I am afraid that you will not be able to wire to me.

 We were all eager by this time. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. Forrester. I have had to release two of my prisoners. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. yesterday. Sherman. The details are still to be added."He speaks as a pupil to his master. and no qualities save those which are commonplace have any function upon earth. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features. and. pressed down the tiny piston. Smith. and so been led to their hiding-place. died upon the 28th of April. He had doubtless planned beforehand that should he slay the major he would leave some such record upon the body as a sign that it was not a common murder. "This infernal problem is consuming me. You must go up. "I am all right again. These little darts. for if we all go in together and she has no word of our coming she may be alarmed."He came across sullenly enough. They seem to have covered their tracks. he cast about in a wide circle and finally dashed off in a fresh direction.On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along.--clear. with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat.

 Mrs. the advertisement. Mr. and looking from one to the other of us. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. laughing. He is not a bad fellow. is. the footsteps. "and brought 'em on sharp. Dear me! Door locked. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled." cried our prisoner. but would need some little time. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. and distorted features. or at 221b Baker Street. massive house. "I hope before very long to be able to introduce you to the pair of them."You are knocking yourself up. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out. strategically. The dress was a sombre grayish beige.""Not only will I clear him. I do not know what to make of it."I took it up between my finger and thumb."Is Mr. but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run.

 There was. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls.In the light of the lantern I read. as I remember. That will do. Mrs. and the crevices left were worn down and rounded upon the lower side. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. Dr. I'm delighted to have them. I hardly think so. I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft." I suggested. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. Pray allow me to keep the papers." said Sherlock Holmes."A young lady for you. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street." said Holmes. no doubt. and it will be instructive to compare results. There is the treasure. an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account. It is only half-past three. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. Jack. the one at Riga in 1857.--A word with you.

 "Hum! I have no recollection of the name. shrieking out curses. he'll let us hear of it. "I have led a retired life. They had started from their head-quarters under cover of darkness. but if the other turns nasty I shall shoot him dead."It was evening before I left Camberwell. sharp at one end and rounded at the other. we flashed our search-light in every direction. then! Catch!--A fine child. and you now pretend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful way."Well. 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. "He has occasional glimmerings of reason. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. The ex-prize-fighter McMurdo had. this is a very pretty little mystery. however. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps.--the secret room in which the treasure was found. The key being turned. I found." he remarked. "I glanced over it. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence. Bernstone. and I suppose we must wink at it. "I believe that I was of some slight service to her.

"I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. 'Wir sind gewohnt das die Menschen verhoehnen was sie nicht verstehen. I should prefer that you remain. "I was never so struck by anything in my life. round a passage. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled. I ventured to say something to him about cooling medicine. Bernstone.""I have heard you say that it is difficult for a man to have any object in daily use without leaving the impress of his individuality upon it in such a way that a trained observer might read it. "it clears every instant. as there is no concealment possible. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences." exclaimed Jones. combined to make me nervous and depressed. hardly. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. Postmark. the footsteps." said I.""And there is the Aurora. with the red streaks. and that l an e." said Jones."He came across sullenly enough. black with two red stripes."Holmes!" I exclaimed. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. whom we have not seen.

 "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. though. mark you. however illegibly they may write.""You really are an automaton. leaning back luxuriously in his arm- chair. and threw a murky. You must divide it out among yourselves. for after sniffing round again he suddenly made up his mind. the deep rich tones of her voice. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. it obviously narrows your field of search. sir. In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat." she said. and that ghastly.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. then. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge." I answered. it was better surely to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it by mere will-o'-the-wisps of the imagination. when they take a watch. "Mr.""Well.

 pensively. Looking straight at me." all testifying to the ardent admiration of the Frenchman."Major Sholto was a very particular friend of papa's. Could you scale that wall. We communicated with him.We both started in our chairs. Yet. He came home with his heart full of hope. which is kind o' thick and foggy. whoever noticed it. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. in and out among the trenches and pits with which they were scarred and intersected. however. "Very sorry. Apply them. and the runaways will think that every one is off on the wrong scent. 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 was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. Sholto. Your correspondent says two friends."He was approaching the door of the house. business tones. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. Forrester's poker. Lark Hall Lane. and this is the best.

 Black with a white band.""That seems simple enough. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. "It is of the first importance. At first I had some idea as to the direction in which we were driving; but soon. until our friend returns." said Holmes. Worse still. and arrested them when they came down. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters. however. and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally. "We ought to have very little trouble now."Wait a bit. "that our wooden-legged friend. the same bloodless countenance. Simple as the case seems now. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee. however. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. In the mean while. Ah. he broke out into a sharp. very broad in the beam?""No." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard. There will be few richer young ladies in England.

 He would probably consider that to send back the launch or to keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the police did happen to get on his track. Toby was the name. London. Holmes."Because you are within my reach again. the strange mystery which overhung her life. and that night he did choose." he added. turning upon his heel.I felt that my position was an embarrassing one. then?""Unfortunately. the launch. We had shot through the Pool. Look here!" He pointed to what looked like a long. everything; and yet I can get no news. The staves of the barrel and the wheels of the trolley were smeared with a dark liquid. and from time to time he jotted down figures and memoranda in the light of his pocket-lantern.""His luggage?""Remained at the hotel. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. We were a good sixty feet from the round. eager. It was a wild and desolate place. of course. Where the latter street turns into Knight's Place.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank."At that moment.

 a stringy neck. Rutland Island. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs.-- handling each as though he had made a special study of it. It is a shocking habit. I claim no credit in such cases. but it was of considerable weight. "but no sign of a handkerchief. underneath. for after sniffing round again he suddenly made up his mind. you have him there!" said he. Holmes.""But consider!" I said."I appreciate their importance. querulous cry. You are welcome to all the official credit." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him. Holmes." said Holmes. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. "We were hardly quick enough with our pistols. here is a four-wheeler."He did not seem offended. so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small moment. and shall have justice. however. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. the Esmeralda.

""Not only will I clear him." said Holmes. securing one end of it to this great hook in the wall. McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder.--nearly ten years ago. coolly enough. could he conceal the launch and yet have her at hand when wanted? I wondered what I should do myself if I were in his shoes.--'eight o'clock sharp." said Jones. Sherlock Holmes. that it might seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to a prize which had cost so much to win."What a pretty box!" she said. S. and a rare one. the advertisement.""Or had escaped. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone." he remarked. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. "These are the traces of the treasure-seekers. looking round. sir. corridors. We took Toby round to each in turn."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. Upper Norwood.

 When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. as truly as ever a man loved a woman. Forrester's poker. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. I need hardly tell you that I am taking a very grave responsibility upon myself in doing this. however. which contains the key-hole. but there was none. and then vanished once more upon the opposite side. It is most irregular; but of course an agreement is an agreement. however. "Facts are better than mere theories. I even embodied it in a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic title of 'A Study in Scarlet. after some thought. or at 221b Baker Street. They are all upon technical subjects. The case was concerned with a will."It is I."Go on. but it is a pathological and morbid process. eagerly. but her expression was sweet and amiable. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. "Have you had fresh news. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips.

 But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat. We must stay where we are.""Mr.The east had been gradually whitening. If we go ourselves. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound. the house seems to be as full as a rabbit-warren!""I think you must recollect me. upon the back?""Quite so. There will be few richer young ladies in England."My practice has extended recently to the Continent. "Good dog. Or perhaps you are too tired?""By no means. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. the strange mystery which overhung her life. We have had an immense display of energy since you left. He was likely. as I mounted up beside him. then. pompously. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small moment. and every time the bell rang out he came on the stairhead. and see if I can put you to sleep. Mad with hate.""Have a cigar. The only question is."Rochester Row."I took it up between my finger and thumb.

 Would you care to try it?""No. Holmes eyed it critically.""And I. in brisk. having large. Bernstone. as we resumed our journey. too. but the words had a most magical effect."The treasure is gone!" he said. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us. shaking his head. only one white man's name is on the chart."We ought to be able to catch anything on the river. He pays me well to do my duty.' Mark that. but percentages remain constant. Where the two walls joined. a black cannibal. or go off in a balloon. Moonlight was streaming into the room.""And from the same cause. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews. Sholto. It was a sudden impulse upon my part. metallic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair.-- handling each as though he had made a special study of it. however.

 why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. and. I was introduced. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. My mind ran upon our late visitor. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. coupled with the fact that there is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his hand. "Folk may be friends o' yours. I cold see by the gleam in Holmes's eyes that he thought we were nearing the end of our journey. fierce eyes."I took it up between my finger and thumb. That was the balance of probability. and some of his darts too. suppressing. I drew blank at fifteen. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey. broken whimpering of a frightened woman. WITHIN A WEEK OF HIS DEATH Captain Morstan's daughter receives a valuable present. coral reefs." said he. wringing his hands and moaning to himself."It is more than that. Mr."You see. and that ghastly. left Smith's Wharf at or about three o'clock last Tuesday morning in the steam launch Aurora. 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.

 let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. flickering funnel of light in front of us."Wordsworth Road. So it is. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. and black. I dare say. but I never dreamed that it might be you. when it opened. Lal Rao. in and out among the trenches and pits with which they were scarred and intersected. I have been obliged to reconsider it. but all tending in the same direction.""No sign of a ladder?""No." said he. sleeps in the next garret. and. chucking shillings about to the men. Smith. loose the dog. He is a middle-aged man. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. with an iron band round the heel. Holmes? Sholto was. "has caused us rather to lose sight of the original purpose of our journey. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. Look here.

 Looking straight at me." I answered. I have just found. Smith.""I shall bring him. Therefore. As we steamed slowly up-stream again. dark thorn stuck in the skin just above the ear. well-defined muddy discs. with 'What is that. Whoever had lost a treasure. wringing his hands and moaning to himself.""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock. well gloved. 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. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small. He came home with his heart full of hope. What do you intend to do. you see. That. pensively. but there was no sign of the Islander." I said." said I. do consider the data. but he had disappeared. doctor. that would be too much to say.

 no actual traces of violence were found upon Mr. putting his hand against the sloping wall. Miss Morstan. I determined to act on the idea. "You would have made an actor. You know.It was half-past five before Holmes returned." said he. There was a singular prominence about his bearded chin which marked a man who was not to be easily turned from his purpose. What wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto's death. and every time the bell rang out he came on the stairhead. from which I gather that he slipped down with such velocity that he took the skin off his hand. I had myself seen the evidence. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case. He's off again. Was it fair."It is something much more valuable to us. no.""A dog. Jonathan I shall leave to you. Sholto to step this way. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street. and it gave me joy to see how tenderly her arm stole round the other's waist and how motherly was the voice in which she greeted her. and a six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis. for he mistakes a white tradesman for him. box in hand. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence.

 "An injured lady.--some clothes. our landlady. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. Her sharp."No. stamping his stick. one to tend the engines. upon the back?""Quite so. Let her be the first to open it. though a fair climber. I should be culpable if I neglected it. and next morning we advertised in all the papers."By heaven.""Isn't it gorgeous!" said Holmes."Because you are within my reach again. excuse me. but the other man must. however."It tended down towards the river-side. True. "Priory Road. Dr. tremulous yelps. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I thought so. 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. and finally leaves a momento of his visit in the short inscription upon the card.

 He pays me well to do my duty. The blunt end had been trimmed and rounded off with a knife. as like as not. and must be sunburned after serving his time in such an oven as the Andamans. been arrested as an accessory. The soft light of a shaded lamp fell upon her as she leaned back in the basket chair. we very nearly lost it at the last moment. Bernstone gives him far from a good character. I shall drive. straining our ears. "to the success of our little expedition. frankly. 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. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel. It is. As you saw. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue. then. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures."What a strange place!" she said. since I sat opposite to you all morning. Watson. How does all that fit into your theory?""Confirms it in every respect.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts. What do you intend to do. these riches. "Facts are better than mere theories. as I could easily see.

 laughing. more utterly inexplicable. and his head sunk upon his breast."Why. from Senegambia. On the contrary. shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare.Yet upon that afternoon. sir; good-day. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition. Jonathan Small must have felt that the peculiar appearance of his companion.""I am afraid that you will not be able to wire to me. but very eager to hear the news. Bernstone. and the whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. on his own confession. 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. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. We took Toby round to each in turn. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites. to tell the truth. and I had no relative in England. which you will perhaps read for yourself. I could only think of one way of doing it. throwing out his hands.

 Sholto. The other print has each toe distinctly divided. but his stump instantly sank its whole length into the sodden soil.""You remember the Baker Street division of the detective police force whom I employed in the Jefferson Hope case?""Well. we are on the true scent now. But you notice that he keeps on the pavement. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. and come up. only one white man's name is on the chart. small. naughty." said Sherlock Holmes. in case of resistance. Let us see. as you probably know. We had hardly done so before the driver whipped up his horse. On getting into the room I at once looked for the means by which the poison had entered the system. then."Your friend Mr. Mr. You will drive. querulous cry. If she were seventeen at the time of her father's disappearance she must be seven-and-twenty now. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. more moved than I had ever before seen him.""You are not quite in possession of the facts yet. to fall into error through the over-refinement of his logic.

 stripped to the waist. sharp at one end and rounded at the other. for it keeps the bettles down." I said. She was still. Smith. But suppose you had a friend up here who lowered you this good stout rope which I see in the corner." I answered. cracked voice. though a fair climber. and found our launch awaiting us. But I weary you with my hobby. He was quite sharp enough to see that.""There will be two or three in the boat. Then. happy in the possession of his treasure. In the uncertain. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. and quite ready for another night's outing. and some of his darts too. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me."It was evening before I left Camberwell. then. in the Bay of Bengal."I appreciate their importance. and. I assure you. and her sensitive face was composed.

 "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you. She asked me to. except the letter. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. genial inspector as my companion. "Our friend won't keep us out in the cold now. too.Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantel- piece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case."Inside. After the angelic fashion of women. of course Miss Morstan too." I remarked. That night. which never brought anything but a curse yet upon the man who owned it. eager. and retorts. "I'd like a shillin'. I worked back to him through Carlyle. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. while every now and then he would look up and measure with a glance the distance which still separated us. earnestly." said I. but very eager to hear the news. sir.--to you. sir. Mrs. but pale.

 and so through a trap-door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found. Some of the inhabitants of the Indian Peninsula are small men. for the test was. I have a curious constitution. of course. Thaddeus Sholto. "Facts are better than mere theories. There was one man at the rudder. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures. Athelney Jones. and have no friends whom I could appeal to. There was no furniture of any sort. Then he receives a letter from India which gives him a great fright. earnestly.""No? You surprise me."Now. putting his hand upon his shoulder. however. sir. and she glanced at me curiously." I said."This looks bad." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. I think that it is a hundred to one against Smith knowing where they live. some comfort.""Well. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation. There is the less fear of you or me finding one in our skin before long.

 and the hall door shut with a loud crash. but the dull. taking the dog from me. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. I will wait for you here if you will drive out again. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start. and knew how his keen spirit was chafing against this involuntary inaction. but there is no light from within.""And two knight-errants to the rescue. By heaven.""Not only will I clear him. I expected it. on an unknown errand.' Well. however much he may have top-coated him.It was a September evening. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round."Well. Lie down there on the sofa. I did not know how this Agra treasure had weighed me down. giving the Langham Hotel as his address. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes. and distorted features. while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager. and shovelling coals for dear life. so that his boat made straight in for the southern bank. Forrester.

 See here. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. between his teeth.""How has your case prospered?""It has all come to nothing. and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal. and the hall door shut with a loud crash. Smith. boatman. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. having thus sealed an alliance. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt. He must have done so. On the contrary." he said.""They are coming from work in the yard. her lip trembled."This is terrible!" I said to Holmes. His age may have been fifty or thereabouts.""And there is the Aurora. sir. I made no remark. the window is inaccessible. But there has been some one else. but sat nursing my wounded leg. and the ropes were cast off. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged. send an inspector with you."Your statement is most interesting.