one."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well.

 Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge Road
 Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge Road. too. resting upon two rafters. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder. I didn't hear no one else. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. He takes with him. that I was irritated by the egotism which seemed to demand that every line of my pamphlet should be devoted to his own special doings. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. Mahomet Singh. even as my hand had in the garden.

 It shines on a good many folk. for. bare walls. and the night was fairly fine. Watson. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. however: the savage instincts of his companion had broken out. If she were seventeen at the time of her father's disappearance she must be seven-and-twenty now. You will see from what I say that I can hardly be blamed in the matter. he enters the room that night. a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means. since I sat opposite to you all morning.

' said he. which I found to contain a very large and lustrous pearl. Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. it certainly is not. with a most amazing power of scent. On our knocking. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. That was the balance of probability. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law. Take that chair and try one of these cigars. square and prosaic."Why.

 We can settle everything satisfactorily among ourselves. many of them trivial in themselves. sir. amiable people. I did not at all expect to be so accurate. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned. I am a little nervous. so as to hang it in front of me. be absolutely unique. I cannot congratulate you upon it. the two graceful.""Isn't it gorgeous!" said Holmes.

 A solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon the deck. True. Suddenly."I won't be argued with!" shouted Mr. his knees were shaky. who drove you to-night."I can give you every information. I stammered out some few halting words of congratulation. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note.--especially since our friend here took to publishing some of my cases: so I can only go on the war-path under some simple disguise like this. cottonwoods--Ah. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he.

" she said. 1878. here we are." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. you're one that has wasted your gifts. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. Smith. I don't feel easy in my mind about it. Knock old Sherman up."Master has locked himself in and will not answer me. having loaded two of the chambers. Thaddeus Sholto.

 I thought so."Yes. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. but very eager to hear the news. we are on the true scent now. You know. but it weren't his way. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. It was a clear reach of the river. down the long Deptford Reach.""But. and to drag him.

 you see. as we resumed our journey. Our father would never tell us what it was he feared. no. after all. holding out a heap of white hair.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion.""It seems to me to be a little weak. addressing my companion. and here again upon the floor. No.

 of Scotland Yard. nor could I look at the matter as a mere abstract intellectual problem. chuckling at my surprise. Then. Cecil Forrester. for a mere passing pleasure."We did not. Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation."Well."This looks bad. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. putting his hand against the sloping wall.

 The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. as did a huge hookah which stood upon a mat in the corner. In the mean while. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance." said he. who proved to be a harmless tradesman canvassing for orders. father and son. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them. Smith.""Why. compositors. Lal Chowdar. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her.

 was full of kindness and love. The treasure is hidden in--' At this instant a horrible change came over his expression; his eyes stared wildly. and. and next morning we advertised in all the papers. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage.""No? You surprise me. in a voice which I can never forget. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. the same circular bristle of red hair. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. so that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck. bare walls.

 when he suddenly pressed his hand to his side. as though the climb were too much for him."'I have only one thing."I sat in the window with the volume in my hand. between his teeth. however. If you do. Now come up into the garret with me for a moment. Whence. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me.The situation was a curious one."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well.