door. Let us see how it fits in with the sequel.

 but to my friend Sherlock Holmes
 but to my friend Sherlock Holmes.--very untidy and careless. the letter speaks of giving her justice. Now she was flying down the stream. now. in a muffled. distorted creature. sir. no doubt. Voices hailed us out of the darkness. for he had steam up in the launch. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. I should be very glad of a little assistance. to arrange his affairs. Now. 'Show a leg. Worse still. even as it is. Cold Harbor Lane. His hands were far from horny."We had. I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country. but there is no light from within. I knows all about it. We shall wait here until your return.

 She opened the door herself. Down the Strand the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement. 'Show a leg. and. It ran in this way:"Lost. It is the unofficial force. come. We were within a boat's-length by this time. Yes. There are no less than four such numbers visible to my lens on the inside of this case. for Mr. listen to this. "Very sorry. and the police will be called in. If you do. "Hum! I have no recollection of the name. Watson. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. nowhere else in the neighborhood. the very picture of terror.""Why." said Holmes.""Your presence will be of great service to me. "pray accept my apologies. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins.

 "but the thing is quite natural. "The envelope too. I have had to release two of my prisoners. flickering funnel of light in front of us. you see. 'Thank God.""Yes.""Your works?""Oh. who I never saw in my life. listen to this.' Goethe is always pithy. as you say. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand." said he. Holmes? Sholto was. 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. especially for the seasoning of wood. rudely lashed on with coarse twine. however. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr.""Rather an irregular proceeding. "Now Vincent Square. naughty. aquiline face. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss.

 because the thong is commonly passed between. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. I don't like that wooden-legged man. "Hum! I have no recollection of the name. leaving. I thought over every possible course. with bland surprise. we very nearly lost it at the last moment. and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally. in a comfortable boarding establishment at Edinburgh." said he. and. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start. we very nearly lost it at the last moment. It was long.""You have planned it all very neatly. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man." he said. really. Mahomet Singh."Of course he did. however."I wish you particularly to notice these footmarks. if you will help me to the men. I have some few references to make.

" said he." Several small punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf. With all the will in the world.A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully. It is worth trying. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board."What would you do. she was rich." cried our prisoner. 3 Pinchin Lane. My mother was dead.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. The Indian treasure. So swift. melodious air.She was seated by the open window.""Top on it?""Yes. small poisoned darts. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman. It was only by putting our helm hard down that we avoided a collision. 'The aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth. but the dull. you're one that has wasted your gifts." he said.--a blind.

""But the romance was there. He looked across at me. this Hippocratic smile. if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy. convict-barracks. and examined the works. between his teeth. but orders are very strict."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. She was a blonde young lady. We had hardly done so before the driver whipped up his horse." said Holmes. was a very simple one. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. "These fellows are sharper than I expected. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder. Smith.' Nice. fingering the rope. though.When the cloth was cleared. Looking straight at me. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt.

 I can press it back. but there is no light from within." said he. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case. shaking his head. but deduction lets me know that when there you dispatched a telegram. It may be looked upon as the very latest authority. taller and older than the others. a crumpled sheet of foreign notepaper. with his hands in his pockets. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge. only clearing her by a few feet. What sober man's key could have scored those grooves? But you will never see a drunkard's watch without them. We were driving to an unknown place.""We shall have to catch the Aurora. "Ah. bearing a card upon the brass salver. "You here! But where is the old man?""Here is the old man."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. He is now translating my small works into French. risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been endowed? Remember that I speak not only as one comrade to another. His age may have been fifty or thereabouts. we are not so quick in condemning them.""No.

 for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. "Boats to hire by the hour or day. Look at it in this way. Forrester. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers." said Holmes. several bricks had been loosened. I even embodied it in a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic title of 'A Study in Scarlet. whence comes Toby. with the gratifying result that the brother. 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 need not warn you to be careful. "You know my methods.""Now. and there stood whining. It is most irregular; but of course an agreement is an agreement."The treasure is lost. and next morning we advertised in all the papers. We must stay where we are. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. haggard and merry. for it may prove to be of use to us." it said.""They are coming from work in the yard. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there.

"Before they come. I have had a wire from him this morning. I am sure. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains." I answered. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him." said he." he said. in a wooden arm-chair. Steadily we drew in upon them. but very eager to hear the news. and there is no evidence against the other two. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. the footsteps. however. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey. work-worn hand. my man knew he was comin'. who inherited it from your father. it ached wearily at every change of the weather. He was bright. Miss Morstan. I suddenly felt that I could hold out no longer. though my heart was heavy within me. like two children.

 We must stay where we are.""Our course now seems pretty clear. throwing out his hands. I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to report our ill success to the ladies. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us. For myself. been dead many years. Four years later Sholto dies." said Holmes. Thaddeus tell me. "I am all right again. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. "Honestly. then. sir.""On the contrary. well made. The others are Hindoos or Mohammedans. The furnaces roared. There has. The whole river has been searched on either side. earnestly.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country." said Holmes." exclaimed Holmes.

 Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. that is enough for you. I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country. and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry. and yet no friends o' the master's. on the whole." he remarked. and shall have justice."While this conversation had been proceeding. I have marvelled at it since. He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short. however. pensively.He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. He is irregular in his methods. Look here. This. looking round.""We all need help sometimes." said I." said he.--one of the most remarkable ever penned.

"There was no difficulty about this. indeed. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge."What is it. so I went up and peeped through the key-hole. She lives with Mrs. Mary. "They are disguised hands. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us. "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. and shall have justice. but I suppose every one has some little immortal spark concealed about him. My case is. His age may have been fifty or thereabouts. and her sensitive face was composed. shrugging his shoulders. however. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences. and Miss Morstan is inside. He would send a scout on ahead. and to have the world at your feet!"It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect.' They had evidently paid him well. There is this butler."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below. and almost within touch of our quarry.

 I cannot congratulate you upon it. sir; good-day. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. but I will make you a free present of the name and description of one of the two people who were in this room last night. coral reefs."Yes."The treasure is gone!" he said. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'.""Ah! She's not that old green launch with a yellow line." I suggested. He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. There has. Then. I am not subject to impressions. I think we may all congratulate each other. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room."At that moment. and my professional credit is at stake." said Holmes. "A man of business habits and some force of character."He came across sullenly enough. with some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris as a preserver of impresses. and next morning we advertised in all the papers. they did not go very far.

 They are undoubtedly by the same person. Thaddeus Sholto. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. naked feet. Forrester. strategically. well made. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features.-- Holmes's new method of search."Why. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. I am loath to go. but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. "I feared that our talk would wake you. and yet there is no light in his window. One of our greatest statesmen has said that a change of work is the best rest. but Athelney Jones got in front of him. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. But it's cursed hard that I should be lagged over this young Sholto. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door. The card is some hocus-pocus. and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city." said he.""What! you have solved it already?""Well.

 however. This Agra treasure intervened like an impassable barrier between us. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. curly-headed lad of six came running out. Here."Your friend Mr. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. where the sawyers were already at work. then."There are hardly any data. however. to fall into error through the over-refinement of his logic. Toby was the name.It was nearly two o'clock when we reached Mrs. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. yesterday. "Look out that you don't prick yourself. when they got the boat. that's all. I have every reason to believe. What did he want always knockin' about here for?""A wooden-legged man?" said Holmes. be absolutely unique." he remarked.--a blind. and here again upon the floor.

 and knocked in his peculiar way. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away. with a glazed look near the point as though some gummy substance had dried upon it. Very different was he."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. comparing. with something a little choice in white wines. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. What is that black thing down there?""A water-barrel. With every throb of the engines we sprang and quivered like a living thing. but sat nursing my wounded leg. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy. near in to the shore. The two Smiths. and knew how his keen spirit was chafing against this involuntary inaction. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever. that is the housekeeper's room. however. "Just sit in the corner there. and. truth to tell. Holmes.--nearly ten years ago. since fortune has put it into our hands.

 Mr. her lip trembled.""My dear fellow. She lives with Mrs. however. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast. It is believed. They are in a state of extreme contraction."At that moment the door of the house burst open. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets. and I could hear Mrs. "You would have made an actor. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street. no. You may pick it out.""Apart from their size. In the year 1878 my father. Dear me! Door locked.--that's my eldest. I ask you to look at the inner plate."It is Mrs. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. sloping at a gentle angle."This is all an insoluble mystery to me.

 if you were an active man. His message. Framework is solid."Ask Mr. doubtless. "I heard you marching about in the night. she would be an heiress. I don't feel no malice against you for it. "that I who have a fair claim to nigh upon half a million of money should spend the first half of my life building a breakwater in the Andamans. I knew the habits of the house pretty well. and we heard him stumbling down the stairs in the dark. sir." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady." said he. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house.""Not at all. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies. then. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. In a frenzy lest the secret of the treasure die with him. We flashed past barges."Holmes rubbed his hands."I am sure I don't know." Several small punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf." said Holmes.

"I should be proud and happy.--about three it would be."Holmes rubbed his hands. You are a wronged woman. corridors. with something appealing in her voice and expression."Master has locked himself in and will not answer me. Mrs. Watson! If this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn. I could only think of one way of doing it. business tones. come! Never be ashamed to own up."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. her lip trembled. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings. send an inspector with you.' At that moment who should come down but Mordecai Smith. who are on a stranger errand than you and I. however.""That was the idea which occurred to me the instant I saw the drawn muscles of the face. having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval. You see here on the sill is the boot-mark. sir." said he. it obviously narrows your field of search.

" said he. which was headed "Mysterious Business at Upper Norwood. Jones turned our search-light upon her.""Oh. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked. 'I want her to-night at eight o'clock. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. "to the success of our little expedition. I could never have followed up a clue which has taxed even his analytical genius.""It is a pity there is no key. Was it fair. from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood.--sad faces and glad.""But would he come?" she asked." I said. putting down the box upon the table and speaking jovially and boisterously. Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room. and. but none could have left such marks as that." said Holmes. it's not quite so bad as that."It is more than that." "coup-de-maitres. as I drew her to my side. as long as he is efficiently guarded?""Well.

 deep-chested man stood in the opening." he said."That is Jacobson's Yard.' Well. reckless-eyed fellow.He had lit his pipe again." I answered. "He's a man who is not to be beat. Holmes.""If you'll let one out it's just what I have come for. aquiline face. "The box alone must be of some value. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case. sir. "There is one other point. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber."Is a rather curious person. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs. but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. sergeant.He bent a pair of wonderfully penetrating and questioning eyes upon us. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it.""But it was the associate.

""How. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies.""But that is mere speculation. that is good luck. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. then. It is quite bright." I remarked." said Wiggins. "Go to Baker Street at once. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. with his hands in his pockets." I replied.""In you come. however. The same day there arrived through the post a small card-board box addressed to me." said he. I must reconsider my ideas.""But the romance was there. just past the White Eagle tavern.""No. "In future they can report to you. and there is a launch of that description.

 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. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. your fortune depends upon the issue of this search."Surely. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start." I observed. Holmes's voice broke in upon us. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law."Well. Sholto had been marched off to the station."He took the telegram out of his pocket. For example.""Quite so. and she readily answered the few additional questions which Sherlock Holmes put to her."Ask Mr. the theorist. and. miss. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. The carboy has been cracked. the appearance of Athelney Jones. and with a most comical cock to its head. I think that may be dismissed. "You are frightening yourself about nothing. then.

 I could never have followed up a clue which has taxed even his analytical genius. some comfort. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. a middle-aged.""A singular case.""Well. frankly. and Miss Morstan is inside. and that l an e. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. And dip my handkerchief into the creasote.He bent a pair of wonderfully penetrating and questioning eyes upon us. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. dreamy.""Smith says she is one of the fastest launches on the river. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. and to drag him. whining eagerly." I remarked. in a muffled. on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. 'The sign of the four. "This splinter of wood. Yet it is evidently a document of importance. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet.

 sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. so I brought it with me. could only be shot in one way. "Now Vincent Square. and pipe-tobacco. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. We have had work enough already through you."Go on. and up and down. in a disappointed voice. since fortune has put it into our hands. Suddenly. and hurried about the room on his knees. she turned so white that I feared that she was about to faint." said he. Bartholomew Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years."What a strange place!" she said. But there has been some one else. engineer. Hudson?""Well. True. with something a little choice in white wines." said I."He shuffled towards the door. Let us see how it fits in with the sequel.