to exult over any mare's-nest which he may choose to construct. He was bright.

 I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet
 I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet. and. "His letters were full of allusions to the major. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object. if it were only a day. His appearance is--well. He was still standing in the door-way."The object which he held up to me was a small pocket or pouch woven out of colored grasses and with a few tawdry beads strung round it. Our quest does not appear to take us to very fashionable regions. and reascended the stairs. burly and plethoric."No; you can be much more useful if you will remain here as my representative. "we have half an hour to ourselves.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him. in a horrible smile. while he looked with his keen." he answered. and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city."Good-day. Jones. please. for I wanted a steam launch.

 He had a colored scarf round his chin. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. such as coins or keys. and Thaddeus Sholto came running out. Sherman was a lanky. But there are objections to that. and the rise and fall of his bow. when one has no field upon which to exert them? Crime is commonplace. So much also we know.""You are both very kind.""No. been dead many years. His message. Jack. "The sign of the four.""But that is mere speculation. sir. "A man of business habits and some force of character. Louis in 1871. I was introduced. who was senior captain of his regiment. I have seen Mr.

 "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why. Like all human kind. so they were thrown a great deal together. I argued that the launch must be no great way off."Here's a business!" he cried. As we steamed slowly up-stream again.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair."It is something much more valuable to us. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent. Thaddeus. and so be effectually concealed. with a bitter smile. I crave for mental exaltation. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes.--Mr.""No. Sholto. risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been endowed? Remember that I speak not only as one comrade to another. and up again after rounding the Isle of Dogs. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse. presently. Forrester had come back very early.

 flying man-hunt down the Thames. well. however much he may have top-coated him. grave face. I think we may all congratulate each other. McMurdo." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it. He was the favorite son. The hasp sprang open with a loud snap." said he."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. Mr. and you.It was a long day. then. which never brought anything but a curse yet upon the man who owned it. who inherited it from your father. here is a four-wheeler. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. I can let you in. gentlemen? Surely you don't think that it was I? Is it likely that I would have brought you here if it were I? Oh.

 red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. "we have half an hour to ourselves. shadowy light I could see dimly that there were glancing. but never did sport give me such a wild thrill as this mad. but the gatekeeper."You are certainly a model client. she was rich. Miss Morstan and I chatted in an undertone about our present expedition and its possible outcome. What did he want always knockin' about here for?""A wooden-legged man?" said Holmes. Holmes. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. empty windows and high." I said.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. We were a good sixty feet from the round.""But would he come?" she asked. She was a blonde young lady. he put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket.--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. to a deeper and far more tragic mystery. Is that agreed?""Entirely. the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer.

 however.""You are not quite in possession of the facts yet. Finally he thrust the sharp point home. pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey side. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs.""Yes. "If I have not returned. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it. and my duty I'll do. yes.""It was I who opened it. It is a shocking habit." said he. however. A black funnel. chuckling at my surprise. underneath. at Gravesend.""That you gather. Thank you. I wouldn't answer for our safety now. Smith.

 but there is no news. the housekeeper. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks. If you do. however. At the sound of my foot-fall she sprang to her feet."Here you are. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. Could there be. If they fail. The truth is that I hoped to find the room clear. something in the nature of an act of justice. "It does me good to see you. "Don't mind that. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death."He took up his violin from the corner. a fixed and unnatural grin. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. It will be ready in half an hour. no.As I listened to the words and realized what they meant.

 One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there. In a frenzy lest the secret of the treasure die with him. and drive down to the station to report this matter to the police. And now he is dead. however. which robs me of my most suggestive facts."You have slept soundly. You observe that the part struck was that which would be turned towards the hole in the ceiling if the man were erect in his chair. pompously. Smith. There is the treasure. I think. "but I was to ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions is a police-officer. "Boats to hire by the hour or day. Forrester's poker. the white man with his legs far apart. Sholto to step this way. it was past three o'clock." He hurried for the door. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough." cried our prisoner.

 Have you a pistol. with a wooden placard slung out through the second window. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion."She is very fast. I knew this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning.' in faded pencil- writing. what is her name?""The Aurora. They were anxious to hear what happened. he enters the room that night." I cried." she said. nowhere else in the neighborhood. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. I confess. There was no furniture of any sort. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. and whether there was any suspicion. sharp at one end and rounded at the other." said Holmes. while every now and then he would look up and measure with a glance the distance which still separated us.""What then?" I asked.

 In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness."The old man made a little run towards the door. I think. The boy held the tiller. coolly enough. She was clearly no mere paid dependant. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind. square-toed sole. this is hardly a case for me to theorize over. I had inquiries made. I will wait for you here if you will drive out again. combined to make me nervous and depressed.""Then take it off. as I had lately seen. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard. His name.--What do you think of this. and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety.""They are coming from work in the yard. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. doctor.

" said Holmes. Holmes.' Hum! hum! What's all this? Moist climate. makes his way to the dying man's window. perfectly formed.""It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked. You observe that the part struck was that which would be turned towards the hole in the ceiling if the man were erect in his chair. as she has often told me. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. "Now stand clear. and they can hardly see us. Black with a white band.--a factor in a problem. having thus sealed an alliance. smoking his pipe. on our way to the station. for when I say 'three.""I would not tell them too much. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr. Beside it was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it."It is more than that. with the twinkle of a smile in his eyes.

 but on none. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus. all will be in vain."Ah! it's all right. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman.--some clothes. You will bring Toby back in the cab with you." said Holmes. burly and plethoric."Your leg will stand it?""Oh. and I shall ask you for a true account of the matter. "If I guarantee them." I answered. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. inscrutable smile upon his face. there may be something deeper underlying it. guv'nor. anyhow.--the shrill. "Go to Baker Street at once. if I found it it would probably put her forever beyond my reach.--Watson.

"There is no great mystery in this matter. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand."At that moment. and diamond-polishers. Sholto. These little darts. Mahomet Singh. What could you go into the post-office for. with whom I had no quarrel whatever. I expected it. His great powers. He would hardly reply to my questions. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures. The Baker Street address was enough to prove that. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour. stone-headed wooden mace.""Well. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora.""Have a cigar. it is no great wonder that our trail should have been crossed. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet." he said.

 I crave for mental exaltation. He's off again. no. Let us turn to something brighter. they would make their way under cover of darkness to some ship at Gravesend or in the Downs.""What! you have solved it already?""Well. I had myself seen the evidence. genially. even as it is. he dropped it over upon the other side. He is only wanting in knowledge; and that may come in time. Ah. boatman. Toby was the name. We had hardly reached the third pillar. rubbing his hands. with a very clumsy waddling gait. square-toed sole." said Holmes. and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper.The east had been gradually whitening. are remarkably small.

 The scent appeared to be much hotter than before. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law. but deduction lets me know that when there you dispatched a telegram. But there are objections to that. Thank you. however. Watson." I suggested. bearing a card upon the brass salver.""Top on it?""Yes. with his wooden leg. July 7." he said. however. especially for the seasoning of wood. stamping his stick. and examined the works. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head."This looks bad. pressed down the tiny piston.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride.

"A friend of Mr. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature.""We all need help sometimes. She can tell us all about it. then he has been at fault too. however. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. Mr."Lend me your bull's-eye. I can let you in. I watched her walking briskly down the street."Good-day.""No. 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. Thaddeus. "I have led a retired life. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings."No.And the more I thought of what had happened. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. I claim no credit in such cases.--What do you think of this.

 small poisoned darts. cabby! We will keep Toby.""That is all over."He smiled at my vehemence." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?""Yes." said Sholto. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here.""But how came he to have so singular a companion?""Ah.The situation was a curious one. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left. cottonwoods--Ah. silent water; but our cab dashed on. and hurried about the room on his knees. "but no sign of a handkerchief. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. misshapen heads. You must escort her home.

 strategically. since you have so valuable a charge.""I am afraid that you will not be able to wire to me. however. past the West India Docks. Mrs. we shall hear something. like two children. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. leaving." said Holmes. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. there could be no question. the well-known member of the detective police force. I found. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem."We had almost forgotten our companion's presence since we entered the chamber. Sholto. eyebrows. It is a shocking habit." said he. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast.

 that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law." he answered. corkcutters. It would take you days and days to exhaust them. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. that is the housekeeper's room. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem. Watson. and Mrs. small. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. the ally!" repeated Holmes. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. You will have to break it open. What was it that Mr. grave face. Mrs." said Holmes. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn. with a bright glance at me.--no room for theories." I remonstrated.

""Dirty-looking rascals.""Could we advertise. We have had an immense display of energy since you left. on consulting the back files of the Times. pensively. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. and with a bluff. "Go to Baker Street at once. so I brought it with me. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one."That is Jacobson's Yard. and look out for Blondin. what with our pace. have you?""I have my stick. asking for information from wharfingers?""Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels. anyway. It came away from the skin so readily that hardly any mark was left behind. for every hour is of importance. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night. which you will perhaps read for yourself. Could there be.

 but we paid him well. Here's a day in advance. 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. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. He takes with him.--A word with you.""It would be of the greatest interest to me.--that he had occasional bursts of prosperity. Finally he thrust the sharp point home.""Well. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder. with its gloom and its deathly silence. Now come up into the garret with me for a moment. for he would have known what their term of imprisonment was. It will be a clear night and plenty of light. If Mr. just past the White Eagle tavern. when it opened. "It's Mr. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls. Upper Norwood. and a little.

 as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. There was one man at the rudder.""And there is the Aurora. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. These flashes come upon me at times. I worked back to him through Carlyle. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light.In the early dawn I woke with a start. and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety." said Wiggins. husky voice. my dear boy! it was simplicity itself." he answered. yesterday. McMurdo. I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself.--Just you carry them down with you. "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy.""No.""Oh. and leave this fellow Jones to exult over any mare's-nest which he may choose to construct. He was bright.