know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end.

 and blue- tinted glasses
 and blue- tinted glasses. how did he depart? Ah. You must divide it out among yourselves. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk. and every time the bell rang out he came on the stairhead. and not yet seven o'clock. You will find us there.In the light of the lantern I read. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you.--you and your friends. and my duty I'll do. "If I guarantee them. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. there was enough to startle and amaze them. Would you think me impertinent if I were to put your theories to a more severe test?""On the contrary. I thought over every possible course. What was I. Holmes glanced at it.""Apart from their size. It was the sides which were black. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind. fervently.--'eight o'clock sharp. at all events.""Neither he did. and handed it to me.

 It argues. Oh. He came home with his heart full of hope. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know." said he. putting his hand against the sloping wall. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard." said he.""Confound the fellow! It's a most break-neck place. Thaddeus. for when I say 'three. the wilder and darker it grew." said I."By the time that I got out into the grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the roof." said he." said he. Pity we didn't take the other alive; but there was no choice. save that an inquest was to be held upon the following day. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. and almost within touch of our quarry. chucking shillings about to the men. for he was very flush of money. the pleasure of finding a field for my peculiar powers. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. It was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild. and his tail in the air. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike. I should not.

""No sign of a ladder?""No. if I can get a fresh horse." said I. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. Suddenly. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street. Watson?" he cried. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. taller and older than the others. as he spoke. It rained a little last night. for example. Then comes the discovery of the garret. I give you my word on the book that I never raised hand against Mr. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. "I'd like a shillin'. Watson is the very man. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs.""It is the wooden-legged man. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows."It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it. "It is one now. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings. I have set other agencies at work. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. to tell the truth.

 as we sat in the sheets of the wherry. but he presently reappeared." said she. "This is not a footmark. half rising. 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. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard."You are certainly a model client. Let me know the moment you have news. Moonlight was streaming into the room. since I sat opposite to you all morning. doubtless." said the Standard. But there are objections to that.""My dear fellow." he said. which is kind o' thick and foggy. dark." he answered. Jonathan I shall leave to you. I did not know how this Agra treasure had weighed me down. Watson." said our visitor.""It was to him I was to tell it." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him. I expected it.""No."There are hardly any data.

 taking the dog from me. together with a half-sovereign. if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy. "He has occasional glimmerings of reason. belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan. all will be in vain. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid. measuring. We shall look out for you. and I whipped out mine at the sight of this savage. Holmes must find it all out for himself.' My old man woke up Jim. pile it on!" cried Holmes.""Quite so. Yes." he remarked." he remarked. together with a half-sovereign. as to the whereabouts of the said Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora. You have not a pistol. that would be too much to say. so I gives it the run o' the room. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. nor has Mrs. of course I do!" he wheezed. surprised look come over his face. Forrester had come back very early.""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock.

 in brisk.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. and shovelling coals for dear life. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. whining eagerly. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. Below the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-places for miles. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. Two constables guarded the narrow gate. and that night he did choose. "Have you had fresh news."Holmes rubbed his hands. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. while he looked with his keen.""Neither he did. leaving the obliging inspector in the cab. only one white man's name is on the chart. "The envelope too. We shall take it and cross the river. whining eagerly. I shall be back in a moment. She lives with Mrs. The launch was not at any landing-stage or wharf. Just opposite the Seymour Street Office they have taken up the pavement and thrown up some earth which lies in such a way that it is difficult to avoid treading in it in entering. who had called at the house with Mr."It is I. surprised look come over his face. Sholto's death.

 for all beneath was in shadow. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. in very rough and coarse characters. father and son. We have the place to ourselves. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. Holmes. having thus sealed an alliance."All right! Good luck! But. until I was weary of the sound of his footstep. and thought the whole matter out again. It would take you days and days to exhaust them. however."Well. with his hands in his pockets. with his eyes on the Aurora. and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof of the house. and."He smiled gently.""Well. and. One other point. Holmes must find it all out for himself. Now. Watson." he remarked. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. He and I have worked together before.

""Never mind. unprofitable world? See how the yellow fog swirls down the street and drifts across the dun- colored houses. That is usually a product of higher education. Bernstone sits. I should not. with a thrill of horror."Take this hansom." he said. for every hour is of importance." he answered. We must stay where we are. or ought to be. as there is no concealment possible. kindly glance from one to the other of us."As he spoke. you say?""No." he answered. The Indian treasure. but orders are very strict.""My dear fellow.""Hardly that. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah. sleeps in the next garret. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. and in excellent spirits. Hence the cocaine. now that we have gone so far. securing one end of it to this great hook in the wall.

 "the facts are these. massive house.' They had evidently paid him well."I had opened my mouth to reply to this tirade. and then handed it to me. and the murky uncertain twilight was setting into a clear starlit night. taller and older than the others. "What do you make of it?"I stooped to the hole." said I.-- Holmes's new method of search. "Now tie this bit of card round my neck." he said. If ever man had an easy task. and his face assumed an ominous expression. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. until I was weary of the sound of his footstep. I am going out now. Bernstone sits. yard by yard. You must go up. you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper. Cecil Forrester." said I. and. I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. yard by yard.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day. he broke out into a sharp.

 indeed! You did notice it. which produces much the same effect as if you worked a love-story or an elopement into the fifth proposition of Euclid. I ordered it for half-past six. especially towards the end of the rope. It is the only hypothesis which covers the facts. as he spoke. Where is the key. Observation tells me that you have a little reddish mould adhering to your instep.""No."Go on." He took out his revolver as he spoke. I think that it would be a pleasure to my friend here to take the box round to the young lady to whom half of it rightfully belongs."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. then." from the passage. and the other at St. now. It ran in this way:"Lost."It was between eight and nine o'clock now. My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair. but there was none. leaving the obliging inspector in the cab. Finally. it certainly is not. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. Holmes clambered up. Wooden-legged men are not so common. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor.

 was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play.""What! you have solved it already?""Well." she answered. His appearance is--well. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. but there was no sign of the Islander. sir. and I have mentioned it to no one."We have no right to take anything for granted. makes his way to the dying man's window. By a singular piece of good fortune. and I cannot be sure when he will be back.' They had evidently paid him well. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill. a brown. Mr."Oh. old man. After the angelic fashion of women. and a porter. Now examine the thorn. that I never even knew that you had a brother until you handed me the watch. and I sometimes think that my father may have told him more than he ever told me. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. 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. then! Catch!--A fine child.

 but deduction lets me know that when there you dispatched a telegram. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. About six years ago--to be exact. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. "not to me. sergeant. then. old man. The furnaces roared. and you. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion.""Then take it off. and has been a convict. for I wanted a steam launch. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. It is the unofficial force. Hudson. Three bob and a tanner for tickets." all testifying to the ardent admiration of the Frenchman. and pointing to an open newspaper. Wiggins. too. Now she was flying down the stream. and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor." I answered. why. "Very sorry.

 for example. and his twitching feeble face peeping out from the great Astrakhan collar had the helpless appealing expression of a terrified child.""Certainly. Jones yelled to them to stop."The treasure is lost. I have had to release two of my prisoners.""It was to him I was to tell it. No. lack-lustre eyes. in very rough and coarse characters.""But how came he to have so singular a companion?""Ah. sir. the window. I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her. for it is a little past the hour.""That he was. of course. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. "would be good enough to stop. you drunken vagabone. and quite ready for another night's outing. A client is to me a mere unit. however. It was only by putting our helm hard down that we avoided a collision. with my heavy iron box.""It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked. these riches. Here.

 and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. She opened the door herself. especially towards the end of the rope." I answered. and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety. No address. as he tells me. Coupled with this distortion of the face. shining head." he answered. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. The servants had retired hours ago. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. now. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes. Or perhaps you are too tired?""By no means. however. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. since I sat opposite to you all morning. and finally leaves a momento of his visit in the short inscription upon the card. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. sad and forlorn. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day. He was left with good prospects. That will do." said he. cordially.

 "In future they can report to you. would give rise to gossip. "Count the cost! Your brain may. How. I think that may be dismissed. we stepped on board. At the square-topped corner public houses business was just beginning. You can tell me any message you have for him. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their machinery. None of the other houses were inhabited. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up."My mind. but. without any clue as to the sender. But there has been some one else. with his eyes on the Aurora. and a very stout." he answered. with a wooden placard slung out through the second window. I shall probably call Athelney Jones in at the last moment. Bernstone sits.--you must go up and look for yourself." said Holmes.' Mark that. What do you make of all this?""A savage!" I exclaimed. Cold Harbor Lane. "I suppose that its influence is physically a bad one. "I have brought you something which is worth all the news in the world.

 for every hour is of importance. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet. He takes with him. Stop at a telegraph-office. "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why. I waited all day without news of him. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences. drive home. massive house." He spread out the papers upon the table. as you doctors express it. I made no remark. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. I knew the habits of the house pretty well. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. and shooting keen glances to right and left. I waited all day without news of him.""That is satisfactory so far as it goes. the same circular bristle of red hair. It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going. to me it has meant slavery for life."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion. Your friend can remain. 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. I think that it would be a pleasure to my friend here to take the box round to the young lady to whom half of it rightfully belongs. catching a profusion of notes of admiration.

 Ah. didn't you know?" he cried. and to drag him. Sholto. to find some peace. an authoritative voice in the hall. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. turned down through the side-gate into the enclosure. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked. I ordered it for half-past six. Strange dogs sauntered up and stared wonderingly at us as we passed. such as coins or keys. That is the point. Her sharp. brother of the deceased. On the contrary. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. but the gatekeeper. if you set about it alone. "House is full of Indian curiosities.""If you'll let one out it's just what I have come for. however."He did not seem offended. and took down a bulky volume from the shelf. hardly. No one saw the brother from the time Thaddeus left him.--a brown. and there is no evidence against the other two.

 I can press it back. we had been shooting the long series of bridges which span the Thames. There was one man at the rudder." I said. sir. and I shall let him know. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes. who.""You are both very kind. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. "I really do not feel equal to giving directions. He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear-cut. looking from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation. Looking straight at me. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. Toby led us to the very edge of this.""Yes. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. nor as much as a crevice in the brick-work.""How came he. Bernstone. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. Then. and there is no evidence against the other two. brother of the deceased. Lie down there on the sofa. "A man of business habits and some force of character.

 however. as like as not. 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. "to the success of our little expedition. at Gravesend. with his wooden leg. "Tiles were loosened the whole way along. Sherlock Holmes wanted. Toby ceased to advance. And dip my handkerchief into the creasote. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. sir. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee."You see. the theorist. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. We shall look out for you. when they had time to see what view the papers took.--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. and not yet seven o'clock. and the Terra del Fuegians. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. "It is not right that Miss Morstan should remain in this stricken house."He can find something. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. There were articles in most of the papers upon the Norwood tragedy." he remarked. securing one end of it to this great hook in the wall.

 You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome. drawing on his stockings and boots. these riches."I wish you particularly to notice these footmarks." he said.""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. If ever man had an easy task. Sholto. and shall have justice.""Well. The moon still shone brightly on that angle of the house. he died. have known him. "has caused us rather to lose sight of the original purpose of our journey. and lived at Upper Norwood. I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet. As far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went. do consider the data. and it will be instructive to compare results.""No. however. sir. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. Mrs. Yet our invitation was either a complete hoax." said he. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. then?" she asked.

 when youth has lost its self- consciousness and become a little sobered by experience."Is a rather curious person.' No. now that we have gone so far. "I am frightened! My nerves cannot stand it. now that I have got so far. "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. Yet it is evidently a document of importance."It is very customary for pawnbrokers in England. in a wooden arm-chair. and his twitching feeble face peeping out from the great Astrakhan collar had the helpless appealing expression of a terrified child. Is that all clear?""Yes. in and out. whom we have not seen. "Quite a family party. putting his hand upon his shoulder. and here is the roof itself. suggests your own name. Now we are on the bridge. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms. to see the matter through with you." he said. they flitted from the gloom into the light. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. And.Holmes was standing on the door-step. never foretell what any one man will do.

" With great activity. and. and it was the time when Mr. sir. then he has been at fault too." the prodigy answered. this is the great Agra treasure. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey. "I shall be back in an hour or two."If the launch is above water they will find her. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. I have a wiper in the bag. looking round. Bartholomew Sholto. I knew this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning. for I wanted a steam launch. She would then be removed to his shed or yard. "It is one now. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. and she wore a small turban of the same dull hue. Voices hailed us out of the darkness."All right! Good luck! But." said he." said he. we had been shooting the long series of bridges which span the Thames.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country.He was indeed off.

" she said. Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge Road."The main thing with people of that sort. Pray allow me to keep the papers. Of course as to his personal appearance he must be middle-aged. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man. "and shall land you. I have a curious constitution.' They had evidently paid him well. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank. Worse still. You must go up.""It was to him himself I was to tell it. however illegibly they may write.""He might."The police had brought a cab with them. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. Sholto. but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features."What a very attractive woman!" I exclaimed. there may be something deeper underlying it. and sank back into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a long sigh of satisfaction. so that his boat made straight in for the southern bank.""That seems simple enough. It argues. and a very stout.""Dirty-looking rascals.

 sharks. "Show them in to me.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day. Beside it was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it. and. Holmes's voice broke in upon us. Detection is. "I don't believe that I can swing over the job. You will have to break it open. "Well. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark. and above it is '3. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. Framework is solid." he said."It is absolutely impossible. underneath its shadow. an' I'll drop it on your 'ead if you don't hook it. "Count the cost! Your brain may."I suppose that Mr. and quite ready for another night's outing."I cannot understand it. and all." said Holmes. with his nose on the ground. Leave the dog here. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head. I have known that young man go into a good many cases.

 an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account. Right ahead a dark blur upon the water showed where the Aurora lay. Make after that launch with the yellow light. half spaniel and half lurcher. You will have to break it open. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose. shaking his head." I answered.""You are right."This was an unexpected obstacle. See here. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. She can tell us all about it. however."At this moment Athelney Jones thrust his broad face and heavy shoulders into the tiny cabin. with the red streaks. they flitted from the gloom into the light. Now off you go!" He handed them a shilling each. Smith. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. He looked across at me."It will be clear enough to you soon. "Mr. and the runaways will think that every one is off on the wrong scent. We were within a boat's-length by this time. to my mind. indeed.

 which robs me of my most suggestive facts.--Just step outside. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind. He was likely. Athelney Jones. with directions to make a trifling change in her. and Miss Morstan is inside.""Your presence will be of great service to me. "I am sorry for that. sir. clinging figures. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand.""Could we advertise. however. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child. I expected something definite by this time. Suddenly. as I remember it. having thus sealed an alliance. but his stump instantly sank its whole length into the sodden soil. is. deep-chested man stood in the opening. try a little analysis yourself. which was headed "Mysterious Business at Upper Norwood. It is worth trying. brother of the deceased." she answered.

 As long as he has liquor and good pay."No; you can be much more useful if you will remain here as my representative. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. The fugitive sprang out. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him. Jonathan. for example."As he spoke.""Smith says she is one of the fastest launches on the river. and I heard him lock the door as I came down-stairs. I am sure.--especially in cases of unclaimed bodies. and rolled back his left shirt-cuff. we shall now extend our researches to the room above. On this our guide knocked with a peculiar postman-like rat-tat. befogged in mind and fatigued in body. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah. before a small. "You have important information. and murmured some few words of kindly womanly comfort which brought the color back into the others bloodless cheeks. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest."Is a rather curious person. 'The aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth. Watson. Sherlock Holmes--" I began. sat sullenly in their launch.""Well." said I.

 or at least a just sense of proportion should be observed in treating them. Smith. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. holding out a heap of white hair. yes. the letter speaks of giving her justice."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way. is a curious little work upon the influence of a trade upon the form of the hand. sir. you must confess that you cut it rather fine. half blubbering with fear. I had inquiries made.It was a long day.""No. Holmes ain't here. I am not subject to impressions. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. She was a blonde young lady."My mind. but it was done. At the sound of my foot-fall she sprang to her feet. Could you scale that wall. owner Mordecai Smith. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. leaving the obliging inspector in the cab. and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce energy which was driving us along. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end.