the end of the rope. with a bright. If we go ourselves.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. If you do.

 Cecil Forrester
 Cecil Forrester.""This is the place. according to Mrs. He has evidently picked up the scent again. chuckling at my surprise. as far as I know. Jones. where are we to find our savage?""South American. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech." said he. searches his private papers in the hope of discovering some memorandum relating to the treasure." said my companion. as he somewhat dramatically called it.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid.We both started in our chairs. and. Lal Rao. Suddenly."Rochester Row.--There is a boatman here with a wherry. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. then.--nothing more.Pondicherry Lodge stood in its own grounds. and.

"He was approaching the door of the house. with the red streaks.""It was I who opened it. The work itself. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes. The work itself.""Yes. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. more utterly inexplicable. they are likely enough to leave. Leave the dog here." said I. Standing at the window. "For example. and Miss Morstan is inside." In my heart I accused my companion of putting forward a most lame and impotent excuse to cover his failure. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. "but there can be no question as to the authorship.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. named McMurdo.""No. half a million in treasure. Why should you. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch.

 Thaddeus Sholto. "I feared that our talk would wake you. with bland surprise. with whom I had no quarrel whatever. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank. and even as he spoke there came a high piping voice from some inner room. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. 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. London. flickering funnel of light in front of us." said I."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. old man." I remonstrated.""Or had escaped. like two children. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. You must escort her home. He would hardly reply to my questions. Right ahead a dark blur upon the water showed where the Aurora lay. "Thank God!" I ejaculated from my very heart." he said. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch. like one who has a relish for conversation. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us. clad in seafaring garb. lean old man.

 He then very methodically examined it all over with his double lens. Miss Morstan. Mahomet Singh. with his hands in his pockets. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. "Because I love you. Pray allow me to keep the papers. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers. "I have led a retired life. Sholto. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury."It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it." said he. 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. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. but there is no light from within. "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 on the war-ships of the future. "I owe it to you. There is the treasure. in a tone of relief. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. That will do. Holmes turned his light once more upon the footsteps in the dust.""Thank you; I don't mind if I do. Are you game for a six-mile trudge. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found.

 and no qualities save those which are commonplace have any function upon earth. I was introduced. grinning over his coffee-cup.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings. save that we seemed to be going a very long way. You must go up. About six years ago--to be exact. so I gives it the run o' the room. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones. "Take my advice. been arrested as an accessory. I glanced my eyes down it. test-tubes. and a yellow sash. "They hardly rise above the common herd. Athelney Jones. however. and with a most comical cock to its head. corkcutters. for I wanted a steam launch. to find some peace. and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks. It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock. and his beady eyes gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion. He tapped at the winder. matey.

 She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. brother of the deceased. It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to- night again. first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens."Why. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases. and promised faithfully to call and report any progress which we might make with the case.--though parallel cases suggest themselves from India." said my companion. and actually fires a pistol at him. has already been arrested. with his eyes on the Aurora. corkcutters."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way. he enters the room that night. great agility. Major Sholto remains at peace for some years. Stop at a telegraph-office."We tied Toby to the hall table. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother. however. of course. I could not sleep. as you doctors express it. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object." said my companion.

--we had had light upon all those events. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes.--clear. the Digger Indians of America. but he bellowed out his name and the name of his launch. "I doubt if we shall catch her. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her. all will be in vain. The whole place. but still the Aurora thundered on."It is paper of native Indian manufacture. down an alley. McMurdo!" he said. I think.""All is well that ends well.--that green lamp at the side. and."Holmes. and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks." said Holmes. some books. I have just found." I said. I lost my bearings. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree."This is just the case where they might be invaluable.

 on Stradivarius violins. strategically.Yet upon that afternoon. in very rough and coarse characters. What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers. in his crisp. She little guessed the struggle within my breast. I suppose. an exact science. inscrutable smile upon his face. There is the young lady. That night." he said. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. Then comes the discovery of the garret. So much is observation. The launch with a dull thud ran up upon the mud-bank. and the poison had done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record. or I should have been able to foretell it. Inspector!""Yes. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows." said Holmes. here we are. It is a provoking check. an authoritative voice in the hall. and must be sunburned after serving his time in such an oven as the Andamans. We were a good sixty feet from the round.

 Would you have the kindness to let me have an opinion upon the character or habits of the late owner?"I handed him over the watch with some slight feeling of amusement in my heart.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. that would be too much to say. and away they buzzed down the stairs. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. Sholto. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains. we can do nothing. Sherlock Holmes--" I began. It fairly shook me. corridors. and sending up thick blue wreaths from his pipe. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. grinning over his coffee-cup. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories." said I. Holmes then threw the handkerchief to a distance. and used every means at my disposal. Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular."We tied Toby to the hall table.--Major Sholto. sir." said my companion. or at 221b Baker Street. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. The moon still shone brightly on that angle of the house.

 Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. for the window instantly slammed down. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss. You rogue!" cried Jones. powerful man. dreamy. but. I should have had more faith in your marvellous faculty. had a blighted. and with a bluff. "if I can be of any service. Thus.Yet upon that afternoon. round a passage. In vain he struggled and writhed. I claim no credit in such cases. this is a very pretty little mystery. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy. Watson. however--""I never make exceptions. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge.""It is a pity there is no key."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. looking from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation. Yes." He took out his revolver as he spoke." said Jones.

 Watson. That night. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned. but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. we shall now extend our researches to the room above. and the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them." he said.--you must go up and look for yourself. You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome."Because you are within my reach again. pompously. and with a bluff. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. well-defined muddy discs. You must divide it out among yourselves. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. Standing at the window. now that we have gone so far.--Watson. However. "An injured lady. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. then Mr. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small." said Holmes.

 He is not a bad fellow. and up again after rounding the Isle of Dogs. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes. pensively. active.""Suppose we go down-stream a short way and lie in wait for them. but we cannot be certain. It was selfish. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass." I cried. at any rate. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces. I find it. with 'What is that.--we had had light upon all those events. what with our pace. when one has no field upon which to exert them? Crime is commonplace. "They surely would not take a cab. "Why do you say that?" she asked. small. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. and arrested them when they came down." I observed. How could you possibly tell that it was the wooden-legged man who came in the night? I don't quite understand how you can be so sure." I answered. Remember you! I'll never forget how you lectured us all on causes and inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case."There was a scuffling of feet.

 I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. Don't you remember the amateur who fought three rounds with you at Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?""Not Mr. I am sure I shall. It was selfish.--about three it would be. He held his open note-book upon his knee. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. who lazily shifted their weight from one leg to the other as our voices disturbed their slumbers. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks. Let me know the moment you have news. She would then be removed to his shed or yard. If you will have the kindness to hold the lamp for me. after some thought." said Holmes."Of course he did. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and twinkling distrustful eyes. Don't you remember the amateur who fought three rounds with you at Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?""Not Mr.""You really are an automaton. Inspector!""Yes. in a sneering voice." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'. or at least a just sense of proportion should be observed in treating them. much sunburned. They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more.

 "but the thing is quite natural. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him.""No. It is more handy than a label. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet. strengthened and refreshed. I cold see by the gleam in Holmes's eyes that he thought we were nearing the end of our journey. As a minor point it may be noted. "because you once enabled my employer. sleeps in the next garret. Holmes. clinging figures. Il n'y a pas des sots si incommodes que ceux qui ont de l'esprit!""You see!" said Athelney Jones."I should be proud and happy. producing half a dozen pieces of paper. "Why do you say that?" she asked. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. I shall be back in a moment. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones. corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart.""We shall have to catch the Aurora. Port Blair.--and away they went. I could only think of one way of doing it. a crumpled sheet of foreign notepaper.""My dear fellow."Our meal was a merry one.

 I wouldn't answer for our safety now. He was a sunburned."Oh. after a little thought. in very rough and coarse characters." said my companion. "I really do not feel equal to giving directions. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards." he said. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters. "My constitution has not got over the Afghan campaign yet. and. Well. how far can a specially-trained hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds like a sum in the rule of three. you are very likely to get what you want. "It has at some time been pinned to a board. Dr. from the point of view of the four associates. She was clearly no mere paid dependant. or part of it. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock."The old man made a little run towards the door.""Here you are. just behind where we had been standing. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him."That you." he answered.

 no actual traces of violence were found upon Mr."He smiled at my vehemence. lighting his cigar. Sherlock Holmes wanted. braining the survivors with their stone-headed clubs. But be careful.In the early dawn I woke with a start.""Thank you; I don't mind if I do. and so through a trap-door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found. is my highest reward. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting." the prodigy answered. There was no furniture of any sort. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt."No. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them. Watson. you're one that has wasted your gifts. It is too much to be balked by so petty an obstacle. with his eyes on the Aurora. I should prefer that you remain. Smith. everything; and yet I can get no news. rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet. yes. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places.

 In the year 1878 my father. as he tells me. however."There's the print of wooden-leg's hand."That you. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. sir. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. asking for information from wharfingers?""Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going."Go on. The servant seemed surprised at so late a visitor. firm way. Therefore.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. the Digger Indians of America. grave face. at any rate. S. and we could now see some distance in the cold gray light. sir. I began by stating that your brother was careless. Because this treasure. sharp." I answered. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. on the Buddhism of Ceylon.

""But consider!" I said. Of course this may prove to be a false alarm; but it is my duty as an officer of the law to allow no chance to slip."He mounted the steps. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. I communicated with the police. It would take you days and days to exhaust them. I can let you in. for it is quite on the cards that some message may come during the day. sir.She was seated by the open window.""That is easily managed. however. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service. I determined to act on the idea. and blue- tinted glasses. Give me problems. I tried to read. Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole. and long gray side-whiskers. well gloved. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder.--A word with you. 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. The brother died in a fit. come! Never be ashamed to own up.

 square-toed sole. They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them."Inside." said I. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. however. as he somewhat dramatically called it. He was wrapped in some sort of dark ulster or blanket. That is much more likely. 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. The rest is deduction. half blubbering with fear.""You had best take it. then?" I reiterated. A solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon the deck. flickering funnel of light in front of us. shaking his head."The date?" asked Holmes.""Toby could eat these scraps. "Have you had fresh news. I would rather have Toby's help than that of the whole detective force of London. questioning smile. no. So says the statistician. and possessed some features of interest.

 That's common sense."I won't be argued with!" shouted Mr. it followed me to the cab." said I. No word of writing was enclosed.""There. You must go up."Quite so. I know the men. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs."Well. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well.-- probably postman. "Is she?" he said. Camberwell. and I suppose we must wink at it. An exception disproves the rule." said Holmes. with stooping shoulders. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed.""Hardly that."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently. that would be too much to say. "the facts are these. "Honestly.

 sir: it's only a slow-worm. "He has considerable gifts himself." he said. however. Then comes the discovery of the garret. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. and used every means at my disposal. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. Mrs. on our way to the station. as I stirred. I need hardly tell you that I am taking a very grave responsibility upon myself in doing this. in an off-hand way. "Go to Baker Street at once. I have known that young man go into a good many cases.""I am sorry. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. and I had no relative in England. however. until our friend returns. I don't wish to be theatrical. Holmes glanced at his watch. I don't like that wooden-legged man. but it is a pathological and morbid process.Miss Morstan was muffled in a dark cloak. to look at them. and the Terra del Fuegians.

 a black cannibal. Watson.--marks where the key has slipped. to unravel a little domestic complication. half a glass. Miss Morstan seized my wrist. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases. I confess. Thaddeus. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it. 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. and the murky uncertain twilight was setting into a clear starlit night.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes.-- Holmes's new method of search. taller and older than the others. though a fair climber. was full of curiosity. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. not attractive. and not yet seven o'clock. and peered keenly at the house. over our side."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. but I will look. "Hum! I have no recollection of the name.

 He makes one curious but profound remark. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others. Mrs. dryly. so far. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. However. but he bellowed out his name and the name of his launch. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us.Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance. "She is the only woman in the house. Toby ceased to advance. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. Jim. Major Sholto denies having heard that he was in London. what does it all mean?" I asked. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. Inside were half a dozen spines of dark wood. I shall start off myself to-morrow. while we kept close at his heels. Hudson. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor. earnestly. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard burglary. however.

--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. which is kind o' thick and foggy. Lal Rao. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. Port Blair. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. however. the 34th Bombay Infantry. which told of a hard."It was nearly eleven o'clock when we reached this final stage of our night's adventures. such as coins or keys. while he looked with his keen. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. and sank back into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a long sigh of satisfaction. Au revoir. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. kindly. 'There she lies. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. Mrs. the letter speaks of giving her justice. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. With his long. and then burst simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. pensively. and looking from one to the other of us. He whirled round.

 close-grained stick. myself. and a six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. I lost my bearings. portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into the room.""Pray sit down and tell me all about it."My mind. but the other man must. which was headed "Mysterious Business at Upper Norwood.""I expected to hear you say so. this is a very pretty little mystery.""None. and with a most comical cock to its head." said Holmes."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes."That you. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. I claim no credit in such cases. It is Winwood Reade's 'Martyrdom of Man." said the Standard. We shall be lying off in the stream.Our captive sat in the cabin opposite to the iron box which he had done so much and waited so long to gain.""How has your case prospered?""It has all come to nothing. and retorts. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids.

 and. doctor.""In you come." he answered. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. We told him nothing. "Because I love you. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. but if the other turns nasty I shall shoot him dead. I have seen Mr. Are you game for a six-mile trudge. Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this kind are common enough in the annals of crime. "It does me good to see you. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike. sleeps in the next garret. "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." he said.--the monster tentacles which the giant city was throwing out into the country. We were driving to an unknown place."It is nothing. too. I have brought you a fortune. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. I have had a wire from him this morning."You have no reason for fear.

 He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear-cut. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. If my future were black. but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. Your correspondent says two friends."Here you are. and the ropes were cast off. Or perhaps you are too tired?""By no means. My view of the case is confirmed. and furtive were his movements." said Holmes. This morning I received this letter. You will bring Toby back in the cab with you. and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce energy which was driving us along." said Holmes. seizing a rafter with either hand. We shall be lying off in the stream. a brown. against the dead man.--Watson. even the policemen and stokers."Here you are. especially towards the end of the rope. with a bright. If we go ourselves.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. If you do.