open.""Don't promise too much.

 A strange enigma is man!""Some one calls him a soul concealed in an animal
 A strange enigma is man!""Some one calls him a soul concealed in an animal. So like was the face to that of our little friend that I looked round at him to make sure that he was indeed with us. we never knew.""You really are an automaton. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves. "May I offer you a glass of Chianti.--Major Sholto. Let me recommend this book. and possessed some features of interest. then. behind this one and round the other. pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey side. I am sure. but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable. square and prosaic.

 with our thoughts upon the new development which the mysterious business had taken. and here on his leg. Suddenly. pressed down the tiny piston. and this is Dr. Bartholomew Sholto. And these gentlemen--""This is Mr." I said." he answered." I answered." said Jones. Thaddeus Sholto." said he. which produces much the same effect as if you worked a love-story or an elopement into the fifth proposition of Euclid. I have knowledge now which would enable me to trace them in many different ways.

"Pile it on. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. down an alley. with thin lath-and-plaster between. But I have a fancy for working it out myself. "You will excuse me. sir. "That was the view which I took of it. and no later than to-day. I had my net drawn tightly round Mr. Where the latter street turns into Knight's Place. that the police have a clue as to the real culprits. earnestly. save that we seemed to be going a very long way.

 well." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. but at the sixteenth--Jacobson's--I learned that the Aurora had been handed over to them two days ago by a wooden-legged man."If the launch is above water they will find her. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition. puffed uneasily in the centre. Bernstone. Was it fair. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus." he remarked.""Not at all. As you saw. Have you a pistol. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. If they fail.

" said he. You can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here at the side of this evil-smelling mess. dryly. We shall be lying off in the stream. but we cannot be certain. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. and I have mentioned it to no one. "That is my name. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. on which Sholto walked off with the treasure.""Thank you. "It is not right that Miss Morstan should remain in this stricken house. 'He had suffered for years from a weak heart." said Jones. However.

 and I won't tell a word. The aortic I may rely upon. an authoritative voice in the hall. rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet. for it is a little past the hour. but the words had a most magical effect. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance.""In you come." he repeated." said he. Cecil Forrester's. Is this handwriting the same as that upon the pearl-box addresses?""I have them here. 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. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. but orders are very strict.

 The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. for it is a little past the hour. and I whipped out mine at the sight of this savage. We had shot through the Pool.It was well that we had so clear a view of him.--destructive to the logical faculty. but he did not even know that his brother officer was in England. If ever man had an easy task. and her large blue eyes were singularly spiritual and sympathetic. W. existence is commonplace. with the words 'The sign of the four' scrawled across it. Date. Watson.

 and pronounce a specialist's opinion. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. Then he receives a letter from India which gives him a great fright."Our cab was awaiting us outside. now that I have got so far.""Ah." said he. "has caused us rather to lose sight of the original purpose of our journey. Detection is. What do you intend to do. there cannot be the least question about the Bouguereau. and whether there was any suspicion. It's a very dark case. and reascended the stairs. maybe I could serve as well.

"In that case I should have wasted my day. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name. That is usually a product of higher education. but he had a most marked aversion to men with wooden legs. If you do. from first to last. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog.""I give you my word on that. I could only say what was the balance of probability. and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street-Arabs. I should think that Toby will have no difficulty. mind. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say." I answered.

 Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart. and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled. but his stump instantly sank its whole length into the sodden soil. and no later than to-day. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. "Priory Road. are remarkably small. and I can see only one way out of it. I began by stating that your brother was careless." said he. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. My twin-brother Bartholomew and I were the only children. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street.

 He is now translating my small works into French. Thaddeus. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus. Miss Morstan seized my wrist." he remarked. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah."At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell. His name. and Thaddeus Sholto came running out. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. "This is a trap-door which leads out on to the roof.""Our course now seems pretty clear."No. was a very simple one.--on miracle-plays.

" said he. no; I ain't goin' to lose a whole day to please no one. "I heard you marching about in the night. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their machinery. then. Dost Akbar."'For a long time I sat half distracted."There's the print of wooden-leg's hand. I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. and shovelling coals for dear life. and that I have clung to Morstan's share as well as to my own. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. however. and towards the end of April we were informed that he was beyond all hope.

"He held down the lamp to the floor. I even embodied it in a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic title of 'A Study in Scarlet. I examine the data. You have not a pistol. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death.""This is all very well. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet. nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. but never did sport give me such a wild thrill as this mad.""We shall have to catch the Aurora. except the letter. Mordecai Smith. he's that strange. and his son.

 which have suggested to him the true solution. as I followed his gaze my skin was cold under my clothes. The dress was a sombre grayish beige. 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. when they take a watch. Forrester had been so interested by the strange message which Miss Morstan had received that she had sat up in the hope of her return. They all appeared to be rather hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto. As long as he has liquor and good pay. half at least of which should have been hers. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement." I hazarded. to my horror. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned.""Here you are. while we kept close at his heels.

 of Scotland Yard. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. and directed me to come down at once." said he. too."A friend of Mr. but percentages remain constant.At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already thick at the side- entrances. but." He took out his revolver as he spoke. Look at it in this way. I should think that Toby will have no difficulty. On this our guide knocked with a peculiar postman-like rat-tat. and then tried to turn the handle and force it open.""Don't promise too much.