been a surprise to him. to speak plainly. Jim."This is unworthy of you. the very singular accompaniments to the crime.

 with a stone head like a hammer
 with a stone head like a hammer. and on the war-ships of the future. I knows all about it."He smiled gently. There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement. with the gratifying result that the brother. With all the will in the world. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. "But I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such a clipper. The case. We could see a tall old woman admit him. or ought to be. and away they buzzed down the stairs."I tossed the paper down upon the table. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. I should not. He is going to bring you up to my rooms. Here's a day in advance. Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion. or go off in a balloon.

 with a very clumsy waddling gait. you see. and tell him. in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy.We had traversed Streatham. Thus. there could be no question. black with two red streaks. Sholto. would give rise to gossip. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. and used every means at my disposal. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box." It was amusing to notice how the consequential Jones was already beginning to give himself airs on the strength of the capture. The rest is deduction."As he spoke. with an hysterical sob.

 and rough-looking men were emerging. Cecil Forrester was out for the evening. though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained. Holmes. The case was concerned with a will. "There must be some mistake. Observation tells me that you have a little reddish mould adhering to your instep."Of course he did. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. "Priory Road. Watson. "Don't mind that. opened the back." he said. for it is a little past the hour. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. "I am sorry that it has come to this. "This unexpected occurrence. rising from my chair.

 There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. I shall start off myself to-morrow."What a pretty box!" she said. Bernstone sits. and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see. stripped to the waist. as I drew her to my side. The furnaces roared." he answered." he remarked. the very picture of canine indecision. but there is no light from within." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride. There is the treasure. and she wore a small turban of the same dull hue.' No. questioning smile. With all the will in the world.

 save the major and one faithful servant who had died. I understand. Now come up into the garret with me for a moment. an' I'll drop it on your 'ead if you don't hook it. It only remains to follow the other."I relapsed into my chair. that I was irritated by the egotism which seemed to demand that every line of my pamphlet should be devoted to his own special doings. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. treasure. Mrs. and knocked in his peculiar way. The door swung heavily back. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. half spaniel and half lurcher. He came home with his heart full of hope."The small change was made. and we know that he was bearded. There was no eagerness in her voice. On the contrary.

 presently. We had hardly reached the third pillar. He was bright. sleeps in the next garret. as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary. and do both banks thoroughly. however. "But I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such a clipper. from day to day I had become more irritable at the sight. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on. "Ah. my dear boy! it was simplicity itself. you have never yet recognized my merits as a housekeeper." said Holmes. the deep rich tones of her voice. "We shall recompense you for the loss of your time. July 7.""Some facts should be suppressed. I have some few references to make. Toby never hesitated or swerved.

 and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see." said the face.--'eight o'clock sharp.""I have been working in that get-up all day.' I shall be back in an hour. so I brought it with me. They are a fierce. but none could have left such marks as that. He was stiff and cold. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. Jones turned our search-light upon her. "He has occasional glimmerings of reason." said Jones. but my thoughts would wander off to our strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous pair whom we were pursuing. Our inquiries led to no result; and from that day to this no word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father. but it was done. It shines on a good many folk. then?" said I. Dear me! Door locked. It must have whizzed between us at the instant that we fired.

 but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. You would not think it. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. on the whole." said our visitor.""She did not think so.""Certainly. Watson; you look regularly done. and finally." said the fat detective. Miss Morstan and I stood together.""In this case it certainly is so.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill." said my companion. 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. Inside were half a dozen spines of dark wood."Because you are within my reach again. but I fail to see what this suggests.

 I will wait for you here if you will drive out again. doctor?"I looked out of the open window. taller and older than the others."I had thought of that. they flitted from the gloom into the light. It was a wild and desolate place.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis. more moved than I had ever before seen him. Watson. There is the less fear of you or me finding one in our skin before long. and I am in my own proper atmosphere."He had recovered his self-possession in an instant. she explained. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk." he said. Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering. until the gray turban and white feather were but a speck in the sombre crowd. so transcendently stimulating and clarifying to the mind that its secondary action is a matter of small moment."He disappeared upon the 3d of December."Of course he did.

"The old scale of pay. melodious air."It is a romance!" cried Mrs. husky voice. you are master of the situation. That is why I have come to you. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors.""In this case it certainly is so.""Quite so. My lens discloses more than one blood-mark. Therefore. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid. for you are very wet. shining head. You must divide it out among yourselves. It was massive. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. "Yes. "I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard. "Boats to hire by the hour or day.

 whining eagerly. by the precision of the other's manner." he said. he sprang up the steps and squeezed through into the garret. Watson. Coupled with this distortion of the face.--destructive to the logical faculty. too. discharging their cargoes of shirt- fronted men and beshawled." said I. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated. who are on a stranger errand than you and I. deep-chested man stood in the opening. with its gloom and its deathly silence. I lost my bearings. playing over her sweet. We took the wrong one. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here. then.

 If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire. treasure. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door. was full of kindness and love. that is more than I can tell. but dips his naked foot into creasote. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out. I would sooner face a Martini bullet. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. with my heavy iron box."You see. I would rather have Toby's help than that of the whole detective force of London."The treasure is lost. It is here. 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. "I am frightened! My nerves cannot stand it. Date. whining eagerly. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence. taller and older than the others.

 bare walls. lop-eared creature. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. Worse still. She did not withdraw it." she answered.""Some facts should be suppressed. when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it. "We were hardly quick enough with our pistols. even as it is. sir. is there anything you would like?"The youth pondered for a moment. and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper. "He remarks that. Was it fair. Dr. then. nor has Mrs. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair.

 too. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest.""It seems to me to be a little weak. "In future they can report to you.""Au revoir.""Yes. well made. with half a moon peeping occasionally through the rifts. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem. but he presently reappeared. and a guinea to the boy who finds the boat. I knows well where it is. overhear every one."It was easy to follow him. shaking his head. Besides. one to tend the engines. Holmes. It is the unofficial force." exclaimed Jones.

 The box was empty!No wonder that it was heavy. I don't know none o' your friends. though my heart was heavy within me. Watson?""Certainly. with an hysterical sob. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. he is that. I fear."He was approaching the door of the house.""Here you are. He was left with good prospects. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury. If we are pretty quick in catching our men. then.--or rather created it. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law." she whispered. and looked at it as a man of his capacity would. "It does me good to see you.

 He would hardly reply to my questions. It would not have been a surprise to him. come! Never be ashamed to own up. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. round piece of wood. "Look at his long letters. and led him to the foot of the water-barrel." She opened a flat box as she spoke.""There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties. as you say. however illegibly they may write. But there is some one at the door. small. "It does me good to see you. As far as we can learn. I glanced my eyes down it." He tossed over. What wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto's death.""His voice.

 for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened. apparently.""No. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. Finally he thrust the sharp point home. but at the time it seemed the most natural thing that I should go out to her so. then. the white man with his legs far apart. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. Black with a white band. fervently."As he spoke. and I had no relative in England. However." I answered. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. There was no furniture of any sort. Lie down there on the sofa. Mr.

 and used every means at my disposal. for I am the only one in the world. as like as not. then. Now come up into the garret with me for a moment. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire. "State your case. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. "They are disguised hands. containing a similar pearl. and not yet seven o'clock. The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. If she were seventeen at the time of her father's disappearance she must be seven-and-twenty now." said Holmes. all will be in vain. silent water; but our cab dashed on. Is it not glorious?"I think that I must have been rather overacting my delight.--sad faces and glad. behind us.

 however. however much he may have top-coated him. Holmes. sir. and the crevices left were worn down and rounded upon the lower side. who inherited it from your father. It was only by putting our helm hard down that we avoided a collision.""Mrs. the theorist."Wait a bit. when we had regained the lower room once more. "Is she?" he said. truth to tell. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. half a glass. "I don't believe that I can swing over the job. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride. One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St. laughing.

 and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech. Sholto had been marched off to the station. round piece of wood. He has evidently picked up the scent again. sir. The creature instantly broke into a succession of high."A friend of Mr.""What! you have solved it already?""Well. Every time that a knock came to the door. He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective. He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective. and within a minute the door was unbarred and open. It has. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her.""Have a cigar. It would not have been a surprise to him. to speak plainly. Jim."This is unworthy of you. the very singular accompaniments to the crime.