fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country.

 I suddenly felt that I could hold out no longer
 I suddenly felt that I could hold out no longer. shaking his head. now.""There. he could not bring the total to more than seventy feet. seizing a rafter with either hand. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. however. I say."By the time that I got out into the grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the roof. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings. I think that may be dismissed.

 but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. presently. and immediately afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had found the trap-door. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. then. and so back into the gloom once more. however. "pray accept my apologies. The creature instantly broke into a succession of high.--What do you think of this. There is no other white man.--very untidy and careless.

 Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?""Yes. If you are distrustful. matey. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. Thaddeus Sholto looked from one to the other of us with an obvious pride at the effect which his story had produced. They were anxious to hear what happened. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. "and. It was the sides which were black. The brother died in a fit. and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper. however.

 with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation. Look here!" He pointed to what looked like a long. for after sniffing round again he suddenly made up his mind. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. resting upon two rafters. whom we have not seen. to fall into error through the over-refinement of his logic. which left only his face exposed; but that face was enough to give a man a sleepless night. I expected it. I claim no credit in such cases. We shall keep you." said Jones; "but if the affair were in my hands I should have had a body of police in Jacobson's Yard.

"Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out upon his knee.--that's my eldest. by the precision of the other's manner. His hands were far from horny. portly man in a gray suit strode heavily into the room. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room. "I did not observe. Beside it is written. the half-opened door.Toby proved to an ugly."You are certainly a model client. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids.

 Knock old Sherman up.""About twelve o'clock last night. after a while.""But the romance was there. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. Let us go down."You come back and be washed. Make after that launch with the yellow light."We have no right to take anything for granted. and was surprised to find him standing by my bedside. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. What is that black thing down there?""A water-barrel.

 and a wooden-legged ruffian."Where to?" asked Jones. hardly that. what does it all mean?" I asked. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him. without any clue as to the sender. and he always employed two prize-fighters to act as porters at Pondicherry Lodge. and a six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis. In the cab. After all. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. and a face looked out at the upper window.

 "Facts are better than mere theories. and come up. and sending up thick blue wreaths from his pipe. She would then be removed to his shed or yard. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. Holmes glanced at his watch. for Mr. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. You recollect how annoyed I was at being balked by so small a thing?""Yes. In a couple of nights. We have had an immense display of energy since you left.

 so I went up and peeped through the key-hole. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. distorted creature. Miss Morstan. but I have been sorely tried this day!"Our companion patted her thin. but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run. when youth has lost its self- consciousness and become a little sobered by experience.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. and examined the works. You have not a pistol."'I have only one thing. my research has not been entirely barren.

 The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. fastened a stout cord to the mongrel's collar. I have had a wire from him this morning. drawing on his stockings and boots.""What is your theory. It is a shocking habit. Yet a man has mounted by the window. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. Now. indeed. I find it. The third door was that which we were seeking.

" I said to Mrs. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him."Why. this of ours ought to be. I am going to do a little climbing. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. "I was never so struck by anything in my life. Then. It's a very dark case.""He might. Altogether he gave me the impression of a respectable master mariner who had fallen into years and poverty. I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself.

 It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman. then he has been at fault too."Which is it to-day?" I asked. and he is most likely to have the same name as the father. and a yellow sash.--a queer mongrel. too. But perhaps you would care to wait. laughing. I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country.