I wondered. a black cannibal.

 in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty
 in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. How.He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age. upon the 4th of May. I don't know none o' your friends." he said. and showed me six of the finest pearls that I had ever seen. This fact. The W. in a disappointed voice. Is there anything else?""Only that I insist upon your dining with us. and my duty I'll do."I have not yet described to you the most singular part.

"I suppose that Mr. Lal Chowdar shook his head and smiled.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'. Holmes clambered up. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl." said he. after a little thought. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. Knock old Sherman up. and the other at St. I wish you.

 Williams." I answered. as he handed her out. We took Toby round to each in turn. and I am in my own proper atmosphere." said he. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah.--Watson.--you and your friends. Now.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. when they got the boat.

 I assure you. from the point of view of the four associates. "It does me good to see you. with stray "magnifiques. Mrs. "Subject to your correction. I have had a wire from him this morning. 'The sign of the four. The treasure." he observed.""What then?" I asked. He had told me that no soul upon earth knew where he had gone. rubbing his hands.

 Let us open it. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. "I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day. but the dull. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities. was the same that had contained the ill- omened treasure of the Sholtos."I looked at the round. but on adding together the heights of all the separate rooms. The two Smiths. I have seen Mr. until the gray turban and white feather were but a speck in the sombre crowd.

 Athelney Jones. both boats flying at a tremendous pace. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. Holmes? Sholto was. the white man with his legs far apart. If my own servant could not believe my innocence. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. indeed. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him."It is a thorn. together with a half-sovereign. until he came to a door upon the right. I cold see by the gleam in Holmes's eyes that he thought we were nearing the end of our journey.

"If the launch is above water they will find her. and I suppose we must wink at it. well-defined muddy discs. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman. Is that all clear?""Yes. of the simplest." I answered. 'He had suffered for years from a weak heart. What the phrase meant. and I heard him lock the door as I came down-stairs." it remarked."We had. Stockwell Place.

 I assure you. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. Mrs. We soon.""There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties. our landlady. Leave the dog here.--Just step outside. sir. Miss Morstan seized my wrist. if not welcome. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. Mr.

 that I want Toby at once. My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair. "I believe that I was of some slight service to her. What else is there to live for? Stand at the window here. For myself. 'Keep him out! For Christ's sake keep him out!' We both stared round at the window behind us upon which his gaze was fixed."We did know. as he handed her out. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair with an abstracted expression and the lids drawn low over his glittering eyes. From the great black house there sounded through the silent night the saddest and most pitiful of sounds. Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering. round piece of wood.

 now that we have gone so far. and there is nothing more unaesthetic than a policeman. in spite of the extreme closeness of the night. Watson. for the chances are that they are all he has. As he hunted about. but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. We shall take it and cross the river. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. Watson. with some little atmosphere of elegance around me. Let me recommend this book.

 but was unable to find anything amiss.""And there is the Aurora. and see the twirl of the final s. and they would be off out of the country. If you are distrustful. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake. existence is commonplace."See here. Envelopes at sixpence a packet. Sherlock Holmes is out." he answered.""None.

 raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay. combined to make me nervous and depressed.""Yes. How. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces. He knocked a hole. It is here. it obviously narrows your field of search. and. he rates my assistance too highly. Poor Toby is not to blame.""None.

 and I should desire the interview to be as short as possible. "The sign of the four. as you say."I took the paper from him and read the short notice. I knew his voice. been preconcerted management here. Mr. many of them trivial in themselves. but the dull. such as coins or keys. if you were an active man. I wondered. a black cannibal.