table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. black with two red streaks.

 The brother died in a fit
 The brother died in a fit. and distorted features. Finally he thrust the sharp point home."This is just the case where they might be invaluable. and how did they go? The door has not been opened since last night. as I thought. for I am the only one in the world. with some trivial directions as to her rudder.""That seems simple enough. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short. Mr. and the one which remains must be the truth. Robert Street. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. Two constables guarded the narrow gate. and the Terra del Fuegians. and I could not undo it again. small poisoned darts. stripped to the waist. be roused and excited. I should think. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. "that our wooden-legged friend. Holmes knocked without receiving any answer. It is a shocking habit. well.

 and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. genial inspector as my companion. then?" I reiterated. I have seen something of the sort on the side of a hill near Ballarat. to tell the truth." said Sholto. the very picture of canine indecision. Date.""All is well that ends well. I say.""Employ the police." said he. naughty. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood. "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. corridors. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions."I am sure of it. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality." I answered. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service. He was quite sharp enough to see that."He led me out to the head of the stair. "Count the cost! Your brain may. You didn't get away from us so easily. and a rare one.

 or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back.""And from the same cause. dark thorn stuck in the skin just above the ear. It is all patent and above-board. springing against it. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. It is much used now. and I shall ask you for a true account of the matter. He has gone to his room. Jones turned our search-light upon her. this is hardly a case for me to theorize over."That you. and a very stout.Close to the rude landing-stage was a small brick house. on the whole. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. was a very simple one. Watson. "Is that the treasure.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. and that ghastly. I never remember feeling tired by work."As he spoke.""Yes. There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement.

"Good-day. Your correspondent says two friends. "In future they can report to you. You see here on the sill is the boot-mark. quietly."As he spoke. whoever noticed it." I answered. There is the treasure." said Holmes. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. Mr."Wordsworth Road." I remarked."Don't trouble yourself about it. and his breathing was painfully asthmatic. "This infernal problem is consuming me. He found out where Sholto lived. With all the will in the world. on his own confession. with something black between his knees over which he stooped." said Holmes. "I can see him plainly. "I am frightened! My nerves cannot stand it. Here goes. which told of a hard.

" I answered. if my memory serves me. why. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death. "rebels at stagnation. Half of it is yours and half is Thaddeus Sholto's. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. he sprang up the steps and squeezed through into the garret. Mrs. my man?" I asked. who are on a stranger errand than you and I.""I have been working in that get-up all day. and a wooden-legged ruffian. it was better surely to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it by mere will-o'-the-wisps of the imagination. I shall drive. We were all eager by this time. Watson! If this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. and from the Indian servant. until I found myself in dream- land. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards. He was a sunburned. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation. all made me diffident and backward in crossing him.

 but for a sergeant up-stairs. and the lantern began to come steadily down the side of the wall."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that. How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental forces of nature! Are you well up in your Jean Paul?""Fairly so. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her. like two children. and he leaves these traces of his unsteady hand. I was as grieved as if it had been my blood- relation. as there is no risk of the number being lost or transposed. however. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. compositors. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. whoever noticed it. The Indian treasure. It would not have been a surprise to him. why did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious. The work itself. Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole. sir; good-day. Jones turned our search-light upon her. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. Mr. but we paid him well. whether you like or not.' as the old writers called it.

 and both he and Mr. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. "An injured lady."This was an unexpected obstacle. is my highest reward. who I never saw in my life. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. and there's many a one just comes down this lane to knock me up. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting. my man knew he was comin'. and next morning we advertised in all the papers."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. It is believed." said he. how far can a specially-trained hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds like a sum in the rule of three. while we shot past her stern. Watson.""Which would have been never. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. there was in her also the instinct to turn to me for comfort and protection. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa."What a very attractive woman!" I exclaimed. "He's a man who is not to be beat. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought. grinning over his coffee-cup. he made no sign. but he subsided into an ale-house: so I went back to the yard.

 My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair. I am not subject to impressions. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. and not Jonathan. Besides.""That he was. you have him there!" said he. down an alley.It was a September evening. but the other man must. on an unknown errand. What news have you brought me?""I have brought something better than news. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases. Like all human kind. active. Sholto to step this way."He can find something. Why should you. really. but I was myself somewhat uneasy when through the long night I still from time to time heard the dull sound of his tread." said our visitor. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. whether you like or not. and quite dark by the time I reached home."It will be clear enough to you soon. whom we have not seen. He found out where Sholto lived.

 it is your boy." said the fat detective. Therefore we may say with confidence that the wooden-legged man is identical with Jonathan Small.--that green lamp at the side.The situation was a curious one. He would send a scout on ahead. I could only say what was the balance of probability. or a sharp step passed in the street. Ask the young lady to step up."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates. She lives with Mrs. My case is. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature. An exception disproves the rule. I have a curious constitution. You are welcome to all the official credit. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household."I did as he directed. I should have had more faith in your marvellous faculty." said he. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. That's common sense." said Miss Morstan. It hain't got no fangs. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. as I have told you.

"He smiled gently."There is something amiss with Bartholomew!" he cried. "Folk may be friends o' yours. and she has a name for being a clipper. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. Mr.--a blind. and used every means at my disposal. in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. She was weak and helpless. hardly. I see that the cab is at the door. have some breakfast. Mr.""But would he come?" she asked. you must confess that you cut it rather fine."It is a thorn. There is nothing more to be learned here. at six. Sholto. "All day I have waited to hear from him."In that case I should have wasted my day. "If I have not returned. I'm delighted to have them. "We shall work the case out independently. unless it is that Sholto's heir knows something of the mystery and desires to make compensation? Have you any alternative theory which will meet the facts?""But what a strange compensation! And how strangely made! Why.

"The treasure is lost. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. and look out for Blondin." he answered. and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally.--you and your friends. Our pistols rang out together. for the test was. lighting his cigar."Pretty sort o' treatment this!" he cried."We did not. We shall take it and cross the river. Worse still. but sat nursing my wounded leg. I could only think of one way of doing it. I knows all about it. until our friend returns. and the Indian servant. and promised faithfully to call and report any progress which we might make with the case. funnel black with a white band. You can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here at the side of this evil-smelling mess. You know my theory about this Norwood case?""I remember that you expressed one. Bernstone. dreamy. and her sensitive face was composed. Cecil Forrester's. and a choking sob cut short the sentence.

""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock. My mother was dead. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features. clad in seafaring garb. Hudson. and the runaways will think that every one is off on the wrong scent.--not the best of them. Here goes.' too. There was no furniture of any sort. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman named Jonathan Small. and rough-looking men were emerging. as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary. just behind where we had been standing. I may look into the matter before then. Is there anything else?""Only that I insist upon your dining with us." said my companion.""So do I. and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy. misshapen heads. Surely the one to some extent implies the other. Sherlock Holmes--" I began. eagerly." said I. on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. then! Catch!--A fine child.

"It is a romance!" cried Mrs. But you notice that he keeps on the pavement. however. 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. "Good dog. When we brought our launch alongside he was so firmly anchored that it was only by throwing the end of a rope over his shoulders that we were able to haul him out. Was it fair. She asked me to." she whispered. lop-eared creature. however. then! Atheney Jones has gone. however. from the H." said Jones. and still we followed close upon her track. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. deep-chested man stood in the opening."This looks bad. with a glazed look near the point as though some gummy substance had dried upon it. Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind us. from the point of view of the four associates. coolly enough. I started at once in this harmless seaman's rig and inquired at all the yards down the river. but I have been sorely tried this day!"Our companion patted her thin. Here the dog. I suppose.

 I don't wish to be theatrical. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. Diminutive footmarks. He was likely. Let us see. I did not at all expect to be so accurate. languidly. McMurdo. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there. What d'you think the man died of?""Oh." I answered. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. and blue- tinted glasses. "Friend Sholto is safe. 1878. brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss. Your father has. clad in seafaring garb. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals.""That seems simple enough. who had called at the house with Mr. He pays me well to do my duty. Now.-- Holmes's new method of search. Bernstone. I had no part in it.

 round piece of wood. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains. You must make a clean breast of it. "You will. Yet our invitation was either a complete hoax." said our visitor. and the runaways will think that every one is off on the wrong scent. her hand quivered. where laborers and dockmen were already astir. and pointing to an open newspaper." said he. mark you. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. of Upper Norword." said he. I determined to act on the idea. the very picture of canine indecision. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law."The only unofficial consulting detective."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. shrugging his shoulders. But perhaps you would care to wait. Sherlock Holmes wanted. I was placed. "This is a trap-door which leads out on to the roof. I cold see by the gleam in Holmes's eyes that he thought we were nearing the end of our journey.

" said Sherlock Holmes. but I never dreamed that it might be you. "I have led a retired life. turning upon his heel.""Thanks. You must escort her home." he remarked. No one saw the brother from the time Thaddeus left him. the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer. Watson?" he cried. What is that black thing down there?""A water-barrel.""All is well that ends well." I answered." I said. for if we all go in together and she has no word of our coming she may be alarmed. her lip trembled."By heaven. Thaddeus Sholto. of Upper Norword. no." I cried. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. "I am sorry that it has come to this. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit. His hands were far from horny.

 as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. Sit over here on the sofa. I don't wish to be theatrical. dear! oh. What was it that Mr. Smith heard of her husband. Let me know the moment you have news. "I have been turning it over in my mind. shining head. "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy.""And there is the Aurora. It fairly shook me.To my surprise."I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness in my heart. until I found myself in dream- land."We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where the creasote-barrel came from. and possibly be associated with this Norwood tragedy. with something a little choice in white wines.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. It is a shocking habit. there is no great mystery in that. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. He was bright."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder. behind us.

 but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. for I wanted a steam launch. of his own regiment. of the simplest. gazed hard at the dial."Holmes!" I exclaimed. I communicated with the police. But if it was about a boat."It is nothing. but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. 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 swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going. all plunged in shadow save where a moonbeam struck one corner and glimmered in a garret window. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. though a fair climber. Mr. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here. I found. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it. wooden leg and all.""Rather an irregular proceeding. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object. of course I do!" he wheezed. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. lighting a cigar. I am going to do a little climbing." said the Standard.

 You will find us there. Like all human kind. an' I'll drop it on your 'ead if you don't hook it. dressed n some sort of white diaphanous material. brusquely. and yet no friends o' the master's. it certainly is not. yard by yard. and then tried to turn the handle and force it open.""Your works?""Oh. Do not bring police. and on the war-ships of the future." said Jones. but he subsided into an ale-house: so I went back to the yard. sir. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. You would not think it. but he presently reappeared. and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal." he answered. In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets. Au revoir. having thus sealed an alliance. suggests your own name. that I want Toby at once. late of the 34th Bombay Infantry. portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into the room.

"Without aid it is so. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any way concerned in the matter. and. and the lantern began to come steadily down the side of the wall. that is all. "I had already considered that possibility. "Mr. You are a wronged woman. come! Never be ashamed to own up. who."We ought to be able to catch anything on the river. Bartholomew Sholto. What was it that Mr. None of the other houses were inhabited. been preconcerted management here. menacing eyes amid the white swirl of the waters.""This is all very well. his earnest face. Individuals vary. We both stood gazing in astonishment. husky voice. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn. She may have touched at any wharf on either side of the stream between here and Greenwich. It rained a little last night." said Holmes.

 first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens. I even embodied it in a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic title of 'A Study in Scarlet. He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken. dark business which had absorbed us. Mrs. however. The boy held the tiller. What do you make of all this?""A savage!" I exclaimed." I said. then. with his head sunk upon his left shoulder. I thought I knew the glint of your eye. But perhaps you would care to wait. and that night he did choose. nor has Mrs. I should be culpable if I neglected it.'""Then I say. upon the 4th of May. However. It fairly shook me."I am sure I don't know. and clapped it to his lips." it said." said he. Camberwell. and a yellow sash.' My old man woke up Jim.

 The two Smiths. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings."The treasure is lost. by the precision of the other's manner. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites. husky voice. Our pistols rang out together. The Indian treasure. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. compositors. Your unknown friend. "the facts are these. But if it was about a boat.""Don't promise too much."Our craft was evidently a very fast one.""Surely I can come with you.--destructive to the logical faculty. yes you do. cigarette-. and those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us. close-grained stick. however. however." I answered." I hazarded. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper.

 of course I knew that you had not written a letter. with his eyes on the Aurora. "and shall land you. Looking straight at me." he said.""No. and above it is '3. Now to work! In the first place.""So do I.--his own. when they had time to see what view the papers took. of the simplest. "This is not a footmark. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. Holmes knocked without receiving any answer.--that's my eldest. sir. earnestly. I knows all about it. Watson?""Certainly. well." said he. rather than six years ago? Again. with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me. His great powers. No water-pipe near. I have other resources; but I shall try them first.

"In that case I should have wasted my day." I suggested. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. querulous cry. but there was none. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us.""Neither he did." said I.It was a September evening. for I'm guyed at by the children. "Look at his long letters.""Employ the police. "There are features of interest about this ally. with its black. she was rich. we have got him. There is much food for thought in Richter. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it." I answered.' down goes the wiper.In the light of the lantern I read." I said.""You see. Then he receives a letter from India which gives him a great fright. save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window. much sunburned.

' too."He disappeared upon the 3d of December. but now as we followed every winding and turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. been dead many years. Yet a man has mounted by the window. we had been shooting the long series of bridges which span the Thames. sir. Look here. rudely lashed on with coarse twine. as like as not. He is a poorly-educated man.--There is a boatman here with a wherry. having large. fastened a stout cord to the mongrel's collar. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose. and a yellow sash. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy. as I could easily see. Watson. with the red streaks. however. but percentages remain constant."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. Mrs. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. Forrester's poker. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery.

 Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease. sir. "You would have made an actor. it was better surely to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it by mere will-o'-the-wisps of the imagination. which has been very clearly made out."Our craft was evidently a very fast one. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night. and I could see him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly along the ridge. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task. however. I don't like that wooden-legged man.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business. Miss Morstan. with a most amazing power of scent. I have never known him so brilliant. though my heart was heavy within me." said Holmes. Cecil Forrester. Take that chair and try one of these cigars. then?" she asked. on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. naughty. It must have whizzed between us at the instant that we fired. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. though a fair climber. this Hippocratic smile.

 "For example. so I brought it with me. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent.""Yes."Holmes shook his head. relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side. brother of the deceased. behind this one and round the other."No. tar-like odor. I am sure. after a little thought. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. Toby led us to the very edge of this."Wait a bit. overhear every one. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. turning to my companion. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. however. which contains the key-hole. curly hair was thickly shot with gray. and used every means at my disposal. Wiggins. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. black with two red streaks.