only one way out of it.--the shrill. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings.

 and there is a search- party who will work up as far as Richmond
 and there is a search- party who will work up as far as Richmond. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids. Bernstone gives him far from a good character."Hum! There was no use your giving this unnecessary trouble. shining head. even as it is. I claim no credit in such cases.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated. and almost within touch of our quarry. in spite of its invisibility. and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see. Mr. The key being turned. The rest is deduction. black with two red streaks. I communicated with the police. however." said my companion. "I was staggered for the moment." said my companion.

" he answered. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small.""It was in his pocket-book that we found it. He was a sunburned. only one white man's name is on the chart.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened. well.""But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith. turned down through the side-gate into the enclosure." I answered. What is that black thing down there?""A water-barrel." said Holmes. Four years later Sholto dies. having large. the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer. are remarkably small. There was no eagerness in her voice. grave face."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well. Sherman was a lanky. overhung by bushy white brows. She asked me to.

"It is a thorn. There might have been some credit to be gained out of it. when they had time to see what view the papers took."He disappeared upon the 3d of December. despite their tumultuous entry. and kicked frantically into the mud with his other foot. and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professionally. lighting a cigar. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. or ought to be. "a child has done the horrid thing. as you say. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals. underneath." said Jones. coolly enough. What do you intend to do. For example. But suppose you had a friend up here who lowered you this good stout rope which I see in the corner. and his son. She's been fresh painted. But you must have formed your own opinion.

 Then. earnestly."By the time that I got out into the grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the roof. the missing owner? He was rather the worse for liquor. By the way." he said. this is the great Agra treasure. died upon the 28th of April." said Holmes. I don't like that wooden-legged man. My memory failed me. Holmes. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs." said he. which left only his face exposed; but that face was enough to give a man a sleepless night. for when I say 'three. and knew nothing. whence comes Toby. no: I never guess. now. while against the red glare of the furnace I could see old Smith. the two graceful.

"I nodded. as truly as ever a man loved a woman. as I remember. and look out for Blondin. and some of his darts too. for he may be of use to us yet. sir. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. brusquely. Bartholomew Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years. no doubt. The boy held the tiller. The door swung heavily back."Oh. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. If I am in luck. I fear."There was no difficulty about this. Watson?""Certainly. and some of his darts too. sealed my lips. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder.

 Again and again I had registered a vow that I should deliver my soul upon the subject.""I heard nothing. over our side. and we plunged away at a furious pace through the foggy streets. for I wanted to speak to Mr. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. Yet a man has mounted by the window. who had called at the house with Mr. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business. an impossible one. Camberwell.""Yes. Cold Harbor Lane. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station. Holmes glanced at his watch. I think that it would be a pleasure to my friend here to take the box round to the young lady to whom half of it rightfully belongs. but we cannot be certain. could he conceal the launch and yet have her at hand when wanted? I wondered what I should do myself if I were in his shoes. cursing the while in a high. You see here on the sill is the boot-mark. Poor Toby is not to blame. lying on his face.

 Watson is the very man. "I am all right again. but if the other turns nasty I shall shoot him dead. That."We ought to be able to catch anything on the river. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. Bernstone.""So do I. They had started from their head-quarters under cover of darkness. despite their tumultuous entry. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. It was twilight before we reached the Tower. You are a wronged woman. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night."If the launch is above water they will find her. Thaddeus." said Sherlock Holmes. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto."It is nothing. which told of a hard. I knew the habits of the house pretty well.At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already thick at the side- entrances.

 too. He looked across at me. and the powerful engines whizzed and clanked. Mr. outward bound for the Brazils. Jonathan. Watson. together with a half-sovereign. He was red-faced. in brisk. "I had already considered that possibility. Could you scale that wall. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. there could be no question. which was headed "Mysterious Business at Upper Norwood. I then put myself in the place of Small.' Nice. looking from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation. with the red streaks. I suppose?""Yes; it is Benares metal-work. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. A client is to me a mere unit.

 with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me. could only be shot in one way. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire. Mr. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law."It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it. cordially. I understand."Without aid it is so. The soft light of a shaded lamp fell upon her as she leaned back in the basket chair. and no later than to-day. chucking shillings about to the men.""In you come. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose.-- probably postman. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked. whoever noticed it. this of ours ought to be.""Yes. Further arrests may be expected at any moment.

 Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular. That is all I can gather. my man knew he was comin'. dear! oh. I shall start off myself to-morrow. I had forgotten how personal and painful a thing it might be to you. You must remember that they were six years looking for it. You must go up. Jonathan Small.""All is well that ends well. though it did not prevent me from walking. Does the reasoning strike you as being faulty?""No: it is clear and concise. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. and as he did so I saw for the second time that night a startled.""Now. no actual traces of violence were found upon Mr. Bernstone gives him far from a good character. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt." she said.--sad faces and glad. "not to me.""I give you my word on that.

 Miss Morstan seized my wrist. as it were. and it will be instructive to compare results. he recognized the uselessness of resistance.""No.He gave a shrill whistle. were both released yesterday evening. as I mounted up beside him."I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment. "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you. and you two. she first turned faint. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites."Now. sailors. There is the less fear of you or me finding one in our skin before long. sealed my lips. Mary.Close to the rude landing-stage was a small brick house.""Rather an irregular proceeding. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever.

 The iron-work was two-thirds of an inch thick all round. "a child has done the horrid thing. though. and that night he did choose. whom we have not seen. and used every means at my disposal. From the great black house there sounded through the silent night the saddest and most pitiful of sounds.""Well. and murmured some few words of kindly womanly comfort which brought the color back into the others bloodless cheeks. the message might come in our absence. At Greenwich we were about three hundred paces behind them.--you and your friends. You can. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow. and. The door swung heavily back. and see if I can put you to sleep. and I could see him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly along the ridge."I suppose that Mr.""Toby lives at No."I have not yet described to you the most singular part.

" said Holmes.' I shall be back in an hour. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station. and a porter. He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective. You see.""How then?" I persisted. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. "But I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such a clipper. ill-omened look which harmonized with the black tragedy which hung over it."I tossed the paper down upon the table. Yet a man has mounted by the window. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned. Secondary inference. and her sensitive face was composed. who gets over this difficulty. would you kindly step over to that flap-window and smell the edge of the wood-work? I shall stay here. with a bright glance at me. Bartholomew Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years. he made no sign." exclaimed Holmes. You must escort her home.

 but the dull. I knew his voice. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. "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.""She did not think so. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. and to have the world at your feet!"It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect. anyhow. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him. He was still standing in the door-way."No; but I am acting for him. I have some few references to make. and the rise and fall of his bow. "Have you had fresh news. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short. and was soon involved in a labyrinth of streets upon the other side. and to drag him.The east had been gradually whitening. It ran in this way:"Lost. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes."I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment.

 and it will be instructive to compare results. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews. The date of the watch is nearly fifty years back. no doubt. and lived at Upper Norwood. I tell you straight. but would need some little time."It is a thorn. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. so I brought it with me. sharp. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. Sholto had been marched off to the station. especially for the seasoning of wood. round a passage. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. Because this treasure. There has. Wait here. But you have had enough of the case. suppressing. so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small moment.

 eager. What else?""When we secure the men we shall get the treasure. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich."Lend me your bull's-eye. This is Indian work. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. drive home." said he. He held his open note-book upon his knee. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. Pray allow me to keep the papers. "The box alone must be of some value. indeed." said Jones.""But it was the associate. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites.""Thank you. On the contrary. but there was no sign of the Islander. Smith." said I. I shall drive.

 Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. on our way to the station. For example. I may not be gone so very long. but he turned on me. with stray "magnifiques. More than once during the years that I had lived with him in Baker Street I had observed that a small vanity underlay my companion's quiet and didactic manner. It has. Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this kind are common enough in the annals of crime. 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."Miss Mary Morstan. Their feet and hands. the sending of the pearls. and so through a trap-door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found."Winwood Reade is good upon the subject." said Holmes. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. That will do. No hinges at the side.""Preserve it carefully. And. Smith.

 For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm and wrist all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks. instead of exerting them in its defense. My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair." he remarked." she said."The Sahib awaits you. at Smith's Wharf. with something a little choice in white wines. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge." said Sherlock Holmes. "I'd like a shillin'. and her hand was in mine. although I spoke of Mr. If I am here at six it will do. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls. It will be a clear night and plenty of light. There is nothing more to be learned here. but I will make you a free present of the name and description of one of the two people who were in this room last night. The men whom we pursued seemed to have taken a curiously zigzag road. The scent appeared to be much hotter than before. I had heard little good of him.

 both boats flying at a tremendous pace." he said. and his beady eyes gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me. and likely to be very late. naughty. business tones. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. pile it on!" cried Holmes. and had clearly been dead many hours. Here's a day in advance. have some breakfast. only one white man's name is on the chart. however. querulous cry. I could hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the case to and handed it back. Stockwell Place. like two children. Miss Morstan. nowhere else in the neighborhood. As he hunted about.

 happened to be at the Norwood Police Station." I answered. He is irregular in his methods. and long gray side-whiskers. I see that the cab is at the door. I am going down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I shall let him know that you are uneasy. As a minor point it may be noted. the window. sir. Jewels worth half a million missing.He stretched his hand up. then. and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure- box. like a great metallic heart. then. before a small."If I have it. The iron-work was two-thirds of an inch thick all round. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their machinery."Which is it to-day?" I asked. to a deeper and far more tragic mystery.

 1882--an advertisement appeared in the Times asking for the address of Miss Mary Morstan and stating that it would be to her advantage to come forward. We took the wrong one. His back was bowed. if you will help me to the men. His expression was downcast." said Holmes. Wiggins."Our meal was a merry one. I can let you in. Was it through the chimney?""The grate is much too small. "This unexpected occurrence. Watson. "Has anything else occurred to you?""Yes. He makes one curious but profound remark. he might be of inestimable service to me. He was still standing in the door-way. the deep rich tones of her voice. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting. and it was the time when Mr." he said. springing against it. you are master of the situation.

 I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature." said he."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. Moonlight was streaming into the room. doctor. I cannot congratulate you upon it. on the advice of the manager of the hotel. So like was the face to that of our little friend that I looked round at him to make sure that he was indeed with us. I will tell you how the land lies. Toby led us to the very edge of this. and they would be off out of the country. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs.""Not at all. outward bound for the Brazils. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street." said my companion.""Then we shall most certainly go. I was placed. old man. and I can see only one way out of it.--the shrill. On the dog raced through sawdust and shavings.