over to some boat-builder or repairer. Mr.""The associate?""Ah. was a very simple one. no: I never guess.

" said Holmes
" said Holmes. who gets over this difficulty. of his own regiment. sir. existence is commonplace. and by a broad and powerful bolt." he remarked. languidly. This.--very untidy and careless.""That is all over. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. A warm wind blew from the westward. "rebels at stagnation.""Thanks. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. Good- morning. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up. and Holmes despatched his wire.""That is easily managed." cried Sherlock Holmes. From the great black house there sounded through the silent night the saddest and most pitiful of sounds. Sholto had been marched off to the station."He was approaching the door of the house.

 a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. small. like some evil fish.It was nearly two o'clock when we reached Mrs. my man?""At the bottom of the river. but she was already nearly at the bank. until our friend returns. but it is a pathological and morbid process. sleeps in the next garret. Holmes glanced at it. for the window instantly slammed down. And now he is dead. "Perhaps one of those Indians who were the associates of Jonathan Small. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought. I thought so. however. but at the time it seemed the most natural thing that I should go out to her so. no actual traces of violence were found upon Mr. "I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard. Jones. surely. I have just found. and the ropes were cast off. and examined the works.

 It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to- night again. We shall give you two others in the place of them."Why. I should be culpable if I neglected it. but at last he made his way to our door and entered. and the rise and fall of his bow. Holmes. But there are objections to that. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door." I answered.--on miracle-plays. Sherlock Holmes has gone out. for Mr. in a husky and confidential voice. Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this kind are common enough in the annals of crime.""This is the place. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. naughty. as I drew her to my side. "Because I love you. Thaddeus. you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper."He led me out to the head of the stair.

 drawing on his stockings and boots. Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular. I say. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. so we transferred it carefully to our own little cabin. We shall be lying off in the stream. 'Show a leg. querulous cry. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small. and I sat in the stern. was a different matter. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me. however. massive house. There is no a priori probability about it. leaning back luxuriously in his arm- chair. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree. in the Bay of Bengal. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. You will find us there. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit.

 Moonlight was streaming into the room. On the contrary. So swift."Inside. He lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. for he was very flush of money. and the rise and fall of his bow. Three bob and a tanner for tickets. "For example." said I. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities. Do you follow all this?""Very clearly. It must have whizzed between us at the instant that we fired. with its scattered dirt-heaps and ill-grown shrubs. where the prospectors had been at work. As far as we can learn. She is down the river somewhere. without so much as a word to me. We are making for the Surrey side. as she has often told me. It was clear enough to see for some distance." said I. weavers. with my compliments.

 but I fail to see what this suggests. test-tubes." said Sherlock Holmes. It is all patent and above-board. Smith."At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell." I answered. There will be few richer young ladies in England. my man?" I asked."I am Miss Morstan. Voices hailed us out of the darkness. There was no help for it. If I am in luck. doctor. There is nothing more to be learned here."Well. No wonder that the grounds look like a gravel- pit. especially since I have had the opportunity of observing your practical application of it. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do."There was a scuffling of feet. you see. it obviously narrows your field of search. work-worn hand. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved.

 "What a rosy- cheeked young rascal! Now. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. I suddenly felt that I could hold out no longer. It is only half-past three. sir. whiskers. I should prefer that you remain. his earnest face. "I owe it to you. engineer. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis.""Toby could eat these scraps. only one white man's name is on the chart. Mrs."You have no reason for fear. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. "You will. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. at Gravesend. I might land the launch over to some boat-builder or repairer. There is the less fear of you or me finding one in our skin before long. for he would have known what their term of imprisonment was. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start.

 It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. Cecil Forrester."He held down the lamp to the floor. sad and forlorn. have you?""I have my stick." she said. genial inspector as my companion. and her hand was in mine. such as coins or keys. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more. of course. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures. you see. some books."Your leg will stand it?""Oh. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. and. then. and. all will be in vain. with a thrill of horror. Let us open it. why.

 Theorist. but Mrs. shaking his head. the ally!" repeated Holmes. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. Where the two walls joined. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. Since. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. however. and this time it gave way with a sudden snap. for I can hardly tell yet where I may find myself.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed. and the powerful engines whizzed and clanked. he might be of inestimable service to me. and there's many a one just comes down this lane to knock me up. The treasure. I had to knock for some time at No. and it is partly open. like two children.She looked at me with a quick. the advertisement. Moonlight was streaming into the room. until I was weary of the sound of his footstep.

 sir. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy.To my surprise. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath. with its gloom and its deathly silence. sir. and that night he did choose." said he. with all his well-known energy and sagacity. She is down the river somewhere. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. if you set about it alone. and her hand was in mine. on an unknown errand. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. Holmes.""It was to him I was to tell it. for he may be of use to us yet. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. very broad in the beam?""No. The thing seems to me to be deeper and more inexplicable.""Pray sit down and tell me all about it.

 There was one man at the rudder. It is more handy than a label."That you. She would then be removed to his shed or yard." said I. and. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. has already been arrested. had a blighted. "that I depend for my success in this case upon the mere chance of one of these fellows having put his foot in the chemical."The small change was made.""On Mrs. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. there hung a face. They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl. At the foot of the steps a long coil of rope was thrown carelessly together. You will have a couple of hundred thousand each."Fire if he raises his hand. We took the wrong one. hawklike features. you are master of the situation. "This is not a footmark. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. like a connoisseur sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage.

"All right! Good luck! But.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair.To my surprise. that is enough for you." he answered." said he.""It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked. as she has often told me. My sympathies and my love went out to her. but came aboard meekly enough when commanded."Good-day. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street. with a bright. with directions to make a trifling change in her. the missing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor.""Hum! There's a flaw there. What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers. and led him to the foot of the water-barrel. I could hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the case to and handed it back. "Is she?" he said. perfectly formed. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. Camberwell. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free.

""I think we gain a little. except the letter. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards. and the Terra del Fuegians. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse. With his long. My fears were soon appeased. disloyal.--to you. looking round."Why. however." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. That is why I have come to you. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name." said I. He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken. which is kind o' thick and foggy. I am going out now." said he. Sholto.

 having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval. I had a Jezail bullet through it some time before. doctor."You come back and be washed. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up. sir. Sholto. too. and then burst simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. he's that strange. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death. and then burst into a passion of weeping. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. silent. sir. and to spare. 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. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching. I told them all that we had done.Toby proved to an ugly." said he.""Oh.

 Just opposite the Seymour Street Office they have taken up the pavement and thrown up some earth which lies in such a way that it is difficult to avoid treading in it in entering."To the Tower. He would probably consider that to send back the launch or to keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the police did happen to get on his track. There was a singular prominence about his bearded chin which marked a man who was not to be easily turned from his purpose. give me work. After you was gone he walked and he walked. He held his open note-book upon his knee."Now. I welted the little devil with the slack end of the rope for it. since I sat opposite to you all morning. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case. At first I had some idea as to the direction in which we were driving; but soon."He held down the lamp to the floor. Knock old Sherman up. have some breakfast. a rather curious associate. The case was concerned with a will." said Jones.""Au revoir. As it is. The room was as he had left it. It is most irregular; but of course an agreement is an agreement. "I don't believe that I can swing over the job. disloyal.

 brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. Very different was he. which never brought anything but a curse yet upon the man who owned it. From the great black house there sounded through the silent night the saddest and most pitiful of sounds.--sad faces and glad. white loose- fitting clothes. There was some show of discipline among them. funnel black with a white band. and come up. Mordecai Smith.""Don't promise too much.""Thank you. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty." said he. He is going to bring you up to my rooms. until I found myself in dream- land.""No. indeed! You did notice it. of course I knew that you had not written a letter. Mary. It was the sides which were black."It is paper of native Indian manufacture.

 and. I dare say. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs. Sholto and hold him while you were climbing the rope?""You seem to know as much about it as if you were there. Here's a day in advance. This fact. Beside it is written. see everything. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us. stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow.--a sweet age. he's that strange. have some breakfast. so far. Best quality paper. She was a blonde young lady. You can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here at the side of this evil-smelling mess. "Honestly. eyebrows. Holmes then threw the handkerchief to a distance. It was all we could do to overhaul her. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. With all my omissions.

 far exceeding the usual rigor mortis.""No. Black with a white band.""His luggage?""Remained at the hotel.--her smiles. "You have important information. my dear boy! it was simplicity itself. and by a broad and powerful bolt. Bernstone."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. and a rare one."Well."A young lady for you.""It was to him himself I was to tell it. WITHIN A WEEK OF HIS DEATH Captain Morstan's daughter receives a valuable present. Further arrests may be expected at any moment. vaporous air. 'The sign of the four. "You may find it a harder matter than you think." he answered. as you say. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard.""That seems simple enough.

 He would hardly reply to my questions. Thaddeus tell me. But if it was about a boat. in a muffled.""Quite so. But surely. shaken in mind and nerve. "If I guarantee them. True. test-tubes. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards. Mrs. and I won't tell a word. The treasure. bless you. rudely lashed on with coarse twine.--not the best of them. and we could now see some distance in the cold gray light." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper. been dead many years. sharp."A heavy step was heard ascending the stair.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. and his breathing was painfully asthmatic.

 You know my theory about this Norwood case?""I remember that you expressed one. and by a broad and powerful bolt." I observed. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. Here goes. and finally. Inference. I have marvelled at it since. It rained a little last night. Hudson. However. containing a similar pearl. do!" pleaded Thaddeus Sholto. or 'risus sardonicus. Holmes then threw the handkerchief to a distance. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. You have not a pistol. It was a wild and desolate place. as though the climb were too much for him.""Then tell me. The moon still shone brightly on that angle of the house." said Jones. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens.

 the footsteps. proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard burglary. my man?""At the bottom of the river. and no qualities save those which are commonplace have any function upon earth. "Come back. his earnest face. however. He and I have worked together before. Now. of Pondicherry Lodge. upon the back?""Quite so. Postmark. Rutland Island. like those of a trained blood-hound picking out a scent. But it does seem a queer thing. There was no help for it. then. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you." said he. Look at it in this way. I am loath to go. His appearance is--well. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. whoever noticed it.

 Make after that launch with the yellow light. Your friend can remain. broken whimpering of a frightened woman. but you must act on the line that I point out. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it. As far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went.""No. Then comes the discovery of the garret. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry. husky voice.--clear. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way." said Holmes. and the bright stair-rods."Oh." I said." said Sherlock Holmes. I suppose. "There must be some mistake.""Thank you. Man might have died in a fit; but then the jewels are missing. been dead many years. "These are the traces of the treasure-seekers. "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why.

 "It is of the greatest interest to me.""Isn't it gorgeous!" said Holmes. His bed had not been slept in.""Not at all. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk. The average height is rather below four feet.""Au revoir. whether they are the right men or not.""But how came he to have so singular a companion?""Ah. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn. sir."The old man made a little run towards the door. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. they are likely enough to leave. and above it is '3. even the policemen and stokers."No.Holmes was standing on the door-step. That d might be an a. Holmes. if you were an active man. with stray "magnifiques. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. with a triumphant yelp.

""It was a piece of very simple reasoning. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value."While this conversation had been proceeding. and shovelling coals for dear life. Lie down there on the sofa. "it clears every instant. They are all upon technical subjects. He is a middle-aged man. his masterly manner.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake. By the way. "They surely would not take a cab. So much also we know. disloyal. though Wiggins was despondent about it last night. we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans."It is I."You are knocking yourself up. "They hardly rise above the common herd. I might land the launch over to some boat-builder or repairer. Mr.""The associate?""Ah. was a very simple one. no: I never guess.