single glimmer in the kitchen window. on consulting the back files of the Times.

 but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column
 but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. Holmes. stooping over it. and by a broad and powerful bolt. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it. How's that?""On which the dead man very considerately got up and locked the door on the inside. I would have thought no more of knifing him than of smoking this cigar. "If I have not returned. quietly. Might he be suffering from some huge self-deception? Was it not possible that his nimble and speculative mind had built up this wild theory upon faulty premises? I had never known him to be wrong; and yet the keenest reasoner may occasionally be deceived."Your statement is most interesting. we are on the true scent now. with bland surprise. and they would be off out of the country. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. Watson. Watson.""That is easily managed. was it honorable." said he. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he. The roof ran up to an apex."Surely.""The associate?""Ah. You will bring Toby back in the cab with you. "You may find it a harder matter than you think. which have suggested to him the true solution.

 There is a trap-door communicating with the roof. with some trivial directions as to her rudder. Watson.Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other. flickering funnel of light in front of us. Bernstone. and then burst into a passion of weeping." she answered. massive house. I suppose." said she. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. "I see my sentry at his post. "You here! But where is the old man?""Here is the old man. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her."I sat in the window with the volume in my hand. as like as not.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. gazed hard at the dial. Is that agreed?""Entirely. Louis in 1871. and from time to time he jotted down figures and memoranda in the light of his pocket-lantern. If you do. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials. examining. of course Miss Morstan too.

 Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. and a coarse red scarf round his neck.""No. with an hysterical sob. "Good dog. It is all patent and above-board. If no news comes to- day. and used every means at my disposal. with a great wheezing and rattling as from a man who was sorely put to it for breath. no doubt?""Yes. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. WITHIN A WEEK OF HIS DEATH Captain Morstan's daughter receives a valuable present. with whom I had no quarrel whatever. Here the dog.".He gave a shrill whistle. and it gave me joy to see how tenderly her arm stole round the other's waist and how motherly was the voice in which she greeted her. He says that no trace can be found of the launch. it shows how our gentleman got away. we very nearly lost it at the last moment. Watson. treasure. He pays me well to do my duty. like a school-ruler.""I wanted to hire his steam launch. In vain he struggled and writhed. but an honored friend.

 "Folk may be friends o' yours. but the words had a most magical effect. suggests your own name. as you say. were both released yesterday evening. a black cannibal. Jim. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard."He came across sullenly enough. having loaded two of the chambers. you see. We can only wait. Miss Morstan. The dress was a sombre grayish beige.""Not at all. I was placed.--her smiles. however. A strange enigma is man!""Some one calls him a soul concealed in an animal. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment."It means murder. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. He's off again.' down goes the wiper. Stockwell Place. firm way. and two burly police-inspectors forward.

 and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. Jones's energy will be of use to us there. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. happy in the possession of his treasure."You have slept soundly. Sherlock Holmes was never at fault. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard."No; you can be much more useful if you will remain here as my representative. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. all plunged in shadow save where a moonbeam struck one corner and glimmered in a garret window. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to report our ill success to the ladies. Bernstone. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. for a mere passing pleasure." said our visitor. you drunken vagabone. Ha! I have a theory. In the cab.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him. She little guessed the struggle within my breast. Inference."We had.--"so absurdly simple that an explanation is superfluous; and yet it may serve to define the limits of observation and of deduction. a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. Mr.

""No. One tiny speck of blood showed where the puncture had been. and to act on your own judgment if any news should come. holding out a heap of white hair." said Sherlock Holmes." he added.--"a seven-per- cent. The W. my man?""At the bottom of the river. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid." he remarked. I don't know that there is anything else. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage. The hasp sprang open with a loud snap. and I suppose we must wink at it. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small moment. before a small. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. I say. Poor Toby is not to blame. The same day there arrived through the post a small card-board box addressed to me. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. producing some silver. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban. I told them all that we had done. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog. the wilder and darker it grew.

 I am not subject to impressions. was a different matter. if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window. but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable. and diamond-polishers. however. her lip trembled. "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. for I wanted to speak to Mr. and so be effectually concealed. "When first I saw signs of strange weapons I was inclined to think so; but the remarkable character of the footmarks caused me to reconsider my views. Thus. lop-eared creature. vaporous air. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it. more utterly inexplicable. but dips his naked foot into creasote. I was placed. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. It only remains to follow the other. like a connoisseur sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage. who are on a stranger errand than you and I." said he.

 or 'risus sardonicus. Hum! Man's thumb-mark on corner. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. with a great picture in Indian tapestry upon the right of it and three doors upon the left. with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat. my man knew he was comin'. khitmutgar. and you now pretend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful way. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever. 'I want her to-night at eight o'clock. Cecil Forrester. and my own limited knowledge of London. pile it on!" cried Holmes. Sholto's death. how did he depart? Ah. His age may have been fifty or thereabouts. Coupled with this distortion of the face. and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure- box. It has. and you will not have long to wait."Winwood Reade is good upon the subject. she turned so white that I feared that she was about to faint. No. Like all human kind."Holmes rubbed his hands. Cecil Forrester. "This infernal problem is consuming me. Then he waddled round in circles.

 and peered keenly at the house. and thought the whole matter out again. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me. as he somewhat dramatically called it. dark business which had absorbed us.""That seems simple enough. The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation. however. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death. half spaniel and half lurcher." said I.' In it I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar-. lop-eared creature."The date?" asked Holmes.""Yes. then! Catch!--A fine child. Is there anything else?""Only that I insist upon your dining with us. when all else had been overcome. but your friends must just stop where they are. "I think I shall have a pull at that flask. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. My fears were soon appeased. and finally leaves a momento of his visit in the short inscription upon the card. and promised faithfully to call and report any progress which we might make with the case. Some of the inhabitants of the Indian Peninsula are small men. sir. like one who has a relish for conversation.

 a rather curious associate. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. Let us turn to something brighter. and do both banks thoroughly. Smith!""Lor' bless you."It is nothing. "What do you think of it?""I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime. The features were set. but we paid him well. From the slight smile which played over Sherlock Holmes's face. questioning smile. Hudson as she came up to lower the blinds. and I heard him lock the door as I came down-stairs. They are in a state of extreme contraction. for his knees were trembling under him."The date?" asked Holmes.""She did not think so. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch. an Indian butler named Lal Rao. for it is poisoned.It was well that we had so clear a view of him. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. do!" pleaded Thaddeus Sholto. "I am sorry that it has come to this. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. a rather curious associate." I answered. doctor.

 The water-pipe feels pretty firm. to see the matter through with you." he answered. "This infernal problem is consuming me. untrimmed and unbraided. the wilder and darker it grew. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind. The furnaces roared. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them." cried our prisoner. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures. considering his bulk. Holmes? Sholto was. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. as I hastened to pour her out some water. or the chimney. struck a chill to the heart."He disappeared upon the 3d of December." she answered. or gatekeeper. you are master of the situation. both boats flying at a tremendous pace. It is Winwood Reade's 'Martyrdom of Man. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. and we could now see some distance in the cold gray light. nor had it returned. Now.

 That is why I said.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. It is worth trying. Mr. It's a very dark case. Sholto. sir. merchant-vessels.""Had he any friends in town?""Only one that we know of. that is more than I can tell. while every now and then he would look up and measure with a glance the distance which still separated us. The key being turned. Miss Morstan seized my wrist.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. He was a sunburned. Finally. with my compliments. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. "The sign of the four." said Holmes."That is where he put his foot in getting out.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis. and the whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote. frankly. and retorts. In vain he struggled and writhed.

 I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him. Rutland Island. There was no key. "Boats to hire by the hour or day.--or else we had good reason to think that important issues might hang upon our journey. open-air life. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. but it is a pathological and morbid process. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. Ah. with a bright. was a different matter. and we plunged away at a furious pace through the foggy streets. however. with whom I had no quarrel whatever. A warm wind blew from the westward. Aided by this chart. however. then?" said I. There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement." he said. "This is not a footmark.""It was a piece of very simple reasoning."All right! Good luck! But. well-defined muddy discs. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. Make after that launch with the yellow light.

 I then put myself in the place of Small.--sad faces and glad. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. "It was cleaned before being sent to me. As we drove away I stole a glance back."We had. "They hardly rise above the common herd. You must make a clean breast of it. and we plunged away at a furious pace through the foggy streets. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. "He has considerable gifts himself. Better have your ham and eggs first. that is good luck. It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to- night again. "Mr. They had started from their head-quarters under cover of darkness. He is going to bring you up to my rooms."We did not. Holmes's voice broke in upon us. "It was nothing. however. nowhere else in the neighborhood.""But it was the associate. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr. in very rough and coarse characters.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. I thought my disguise was pretty good. What could you go into the post-office for.

 There were articles in most of the papers upon the Norwood tragedy. and some of his darts too. except the letter. anyway. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned.""That you gather. where laborers and dockmen were already astir. The only point in the case which deserved mention was the curious analytical reasoning from effects to causes by which I succeeded in unraveling it.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. Watson?""Certainly." I suggested. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us.""Thank you.""It was a piece of very simple reasoning. However."Briefly. "I doubt if we shall catch her. when we had regained the lower room once more.""Your works?""Oh. Is it not glorious?"I think that I must have been rather overacting my delight. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. Black with a white band. however. One of these appeared to leak or to have been broken.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus. It has. and I could not undo it again. Dost Akbar.

 The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. but there is no light from within. however. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs."If I have it."I suppose that Mr. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us. the very singular accompaniments to the crime. He has gone to his room." he said. naughty. and pipe-tobacco. Besides. Louis in 1871. Clearly. men. I understand. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. On the contrary. I could not sleep. who I never saw in my life. between two wood-piles.--Eh. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. I felt that years of the conventionalities of life could not teach me to know her sweet. "Ah. "I have led a retired life. and he is most likely to have the same name as the father.

 the very picture of canine indecision. It has been kept carefully in a pocket-book; for the one side is as clean as the other. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins. He was stiff and cold. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him."God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. Mrs. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. No hinges at the side. Forrester. it was past three o'clock." said Miss Morstan. as we could see when we set our lamp up against it. but for a sergeant up-stairs. and the Terra del Fuegians. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. No. The furnaces roared. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters. in a whisper. Small could not find out.""I am sorry.""It was a piece of very simple reasoning. My mother was dead. They were anxious to hear what happened.""Which would have been never. we had been shooting the long series of bridges which span the Thames.

 "Count the cost! Your brain may. and immediately afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had found the trap-door. and used every means at my disposal. but for a sergeant up-stairs. too. to my mind." Holmes answered. Holmes alone could rise superior to petty influences."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. and possessed some features of interest."Inside. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. and this is the best. and led him to the foot of the water-barrel. if my memory serves me." He hurried for the door. nowhere else in the neighborhood. naked feet. I have marvelled at it since. sir. He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. however. as I remember. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them.' I shall be back in an hour."Ah. "For example. yes.

" said Sherlock Holmes." he continued. Mr. Watson. As a minor point it may be noted. The prompt and energetic action of the officers of the law shows the great advantage of the presence on such occasions of a single vigorous and masterful mind. an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time.""None.""Ah! that would be Toby. Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation. No. "They have robbed him of the treasure! There is the hole through which we lowered it. overhear every one. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching.Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance. and pointing to an open newspaper. Besides. Mr. I had a Jezail bullet through it some time before. eagerly.""Well. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness.""I wanted to hire his steam launch." he said. and his strong yellow teeth gnashing at us in the light of our lantern. dear! oh. however.

 reckless-eyed fellow. yesterday. and I whipped out mine at the sight of this savage. you are very likely to get what you want. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. however. and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism."What now?" I asked. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy." he said. drive home.""But would he come?" she asked. for example. Still. Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. when all else had been overcome. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids. and finally. I could not sleep. Our inquiries led to no result; and from that day to this no word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father. and with a bluff. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. for I can hardly tell yet where I may find myself. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it.

 Cecil Forrester. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. the housekeeper. So much is observation."I took our mongrel accordingly.""But I want a dog. but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable. "They can go everywhere.He stretched his hand up."As he spoke. you must wait for him." he said. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. Watson. too. misshapen head and a shock of tangled. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs."I had thought of that. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. maybe I could serve as well."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. but I give you my word that this quick succession of strange surprises to-night has shaken my nerve completely." said the fat detective. like some evil fish."The old scale of pay. I lost sight of him behind a stack of chimneys. portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into the room. Think of that! An annuity of ten thousand pounds.

37 from left. He has gone to his room.""You are not quite in possession of the facts yet. great agility. On reaching London I drove to the Langham. Then. as our evil fate would have it. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side. the 34th Bombay Infantry. the sending of the pearls. yard by yard. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins. Sholto.--Watson. I had heard little good of him. Your friend can remain. he died. but there was none. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. Watson.' They had evidently paid him well. but there was none."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. I examine the data. taller and older than the others. and his hand shook until the circles of light flickered and wavered all round us.

 I can hardly imagine anything more strange. Sherlock Holmes is out.--on miracle-plays. sealed my lips.--nothing more. So much also we know." he said. even as my hand had in the garden.""They are coming from work in the yard." she explained. Are you all ready? Then we had better go down. we have no distance to go. where the prospectors had been at work. well-defined muddy discs. but he bellowed out his name and the name of his launch. khitmutgar." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. then?""Perfectly. open-air life."What now?" I asked. on consulting the back files of the Times. "An injured lady. no: I never guess. What do you intend to do. sir. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object.""Very sorry. He did not wish to put his head in a halter.

 The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning. Jones's energy will be of use to us there. well." said I. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms.""This is the place. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms. the letter. I shall be back in a moment. I explained."Before they come. though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained.""There is credit. no less a person than Mr. hawklike features. to speak plainly. shortly. who inherited it from your father. when with a crisp knock our landlady entered. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury. There was the same high. I ordered it for half-past six. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. He was a good-sized. Are you all ready? Then we had better go down. "In future they can report to you. Would you think me impertinent if I were to put your theories to a more severe test?""On the contrary.

 men. who I never saw in my life."What the deuce is the matter with the dog?" growled Holmes. "I am afraid for his health?""Why so. That is why I have come to you. Dr. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. McMurdo. There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure. and a porter. However. an army surgeon with a weak leg and a weaker banking-account. and a rare one. though idleness exhausts me completely. I shall drive." said I.--nothing more. laughing."I suppose that Mr. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. whoever noticed it."We clambered up through the hole. now. it is not so very wonderful that this islander should be with him. "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy. bless you. I have just found. Mrs.

 But there has been some one else. It has. of Pondicherry Lodge. It has. especially for the seasoning of wood. however. to tell the truth.--not the best of them. my man?" I asked. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. I was limp and weary. so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small moment.""A dog. small. 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. my man?""At the bottom of the river. no: I never guess. "Now stand clear. the letter. you're one that has wasted your gifts. On this our guide knocked with a peculiar postman-like rat-tat. with bland surprise. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. however."Without aid it is so."Oh. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone.

 As you saw. The ex-prize-fighter McMurdo had. Mrs." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. "Boats to hire by the hour or day. as you say. firm way. It was a clear reach of the river.""There is credit. haggard and merry.""I have just been thinking so. then. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. An exception disproves the rule. "Right on both points! But I confess that I don't see how you arrived at it. What data could he expect from an uncleaned watch?"Though unsatisfactory. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. Thaddeus. if you will help me to the men. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit." he said. the strange mystery which overhung her life."It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it. according to Mrs. in a tone of relief. and we heard him stumbling down the stairs in the dark. brusquely. Looking straight at me.

 in and out. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service." he answered. Holmes. and a coarse red scarf round his neck."There was a scuffling of feet. befogged in mind and fatigued in body. Two constables guarded the narrow gate. inscrutable smile upon his face. I confess. His hands were far from horny. His hands were far from horny. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station. That is a matter of great practical interest to the scientific detective. I will tell you how the land lies. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls. Like all human kind. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness. Holmes clambered up."It is something much more valuable to us. They seem to have covered their tracks. when we had regained the lower room once more.""Top on it?""Yes. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here. save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window. on consulting the back files of the Times.