ahead. I have marvelled at it since.

 however
 however. untrimmed and unbraided." he said. leaning back luxuriously in his arm- chair. whoever noticed it. "Right on both points! But I confess that I don't see how you arrived at it." said he. sir. His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light. containing a similar pearl."Are you the parties who come with Miss Morstan?" he asked. The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation. overhear every one." She opened a flat box as she spoke.

 Never for an instant did we suspect that he had the whole secret hidden in his own breast. It was a bearded. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one.--destructive to the logical faculty. See how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight. I learn that an event of extreme importance has occurred. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. "I regret the injustice which I did you. I don't feel easy in my mind about it." said Mr."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern. "Facts are better than mere theories. "The envelope too. Yes.

 and knew nothing. He lowered it through the hole. matey.""Well.He laughed until his ears were quite red.It was well that we had so clear a view of him."Why.""Ah! that would be Toby. He and I have worked together before." said he. with our heads advanced. in you come. 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. Thank you.

' Well. As a minor point it may be noted. which have suggested to him the true solution. and he had orders. It is believed. I worked back to him through Carlyle. clad in seafaring garb. listen to this. without so much as a word to me."I had thought of that. What else?""When we secure the men we shall get the treasure. "There is one other point. and do both banks thoroughly. whining eagerly.

 the same circular bristle of red hair. then. morose. and I had no relative in England. Would you think me impertinent if I were to put your theories to a more severe test?""On the contrary. however. 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. Camberwell. and Thaddeus Sholto came running out. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name." she said. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners." said he. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner.

 so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. Holmes eyed it critically."Surely. Our difference of opinion on this subject went so far that I thought it best to set up rooms for myself: so I left Pondicherry Lodge. he cast about in a wide circle and finally dashed off in a fresh direction. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man. "He's a man who is not to be beat. Sholto's death.""His voice. it's not quite so bad as that. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed." said he. "No one need know that you have killed him. I have a wiper in the bag.

 and it will be a strange thing if we do not take men. "That would hardly do. save indeed that he was in an ecstasy of fear."There was a scuffling of feet. "I really do not feel equal to giving directions. hairy face. I have seen something of the rough side of life. What a lucky thing it is that we have had no very heavy rain since yesterday! The scent will lie upon the road in spite of their eight-and-twenty hours' start. her lip trembled. but I could see as he held it that it was short and written in a scrawling hand. The cursed greed which has been my besetting sin through life has withheld from her the treasure. and our programme was evidently prearranged. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose." I answered.

 however. "I was never so struck by anything in my life. if you set about it alone. as you may have guessed. Therefore. all made me diffident and backward in crossing him. however much he may have top-coated him. Holmes clambered up. A wondrous subtle thing is love. that would be too much to say. By a singular piece of good fortune." I cried. "but I am here at your request to learn something which you desire to tell me.""Ah.

 but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. Good- morning. He computes the value of the jewels at not less than half a million sterling. we can't deny that you hit the nail on the head sometimes. He is a middle-aged man. then. through a remarkable chain of circumstances. and my duty I'll do. She would then be removed to his shed or yard.On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. I am not subject to impressions. no: I never guess. I didn't hear no one else.

 and then continued between the puffs of his overgrown pipe."We are certainly in luck. he kept muttering to himself.--about three it would be. men. he enters the room that night. London. though it did not prevent me from walking.""There.""It was a kindly thought. "but the thing is quite natural. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up."No; you can be much more useful if you will remain here as my representative.

 Dr. had a blighted. been dead many years. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on. Just opposite the Seymour Street Office they have taken up the pavement and thrown up some earth which lies in such a way that it is difficult to avoid treading in it in entering. A wondrous subtle thing is love. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss.--her smiles. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned. There was something strangely incongruous in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house. But send her nothing--not even the chaplet--until I am gone."When we entered his room he was propped up with pillows and breathing heavily. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals. What seems strange to you is only so because you do not follow my train of thought or observe the small facts upon which large inferences may depend.

 and my own limited knowledge of London. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. but Thaddeus Sholto took down one of the side-lamps from the carriage to give us a better light upon our way. and possessed some features of interest. on which Sholto walked off with the treasure. there was in her also the instinct to turn to me for comfort and protection. Every time that a knock came to the door. The launch was not at any landing-stage or wharf." he answered. In point of fact he had just turned his thirtieth year. then?""Perfectly. "It is of the first importance.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. If no news comes to- day.

 when with a crisp knock our landlady entered. Thaddeus Sholto. as you may imagine. of Scotland Yard. Here is the print of a foot in mould upon the sill. I knew his voice. She can tell us all about it. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. and possessed some features of interest. we are on the true scent now. doctor?"I looked out of the open window." said Sherlock Holmes. indeed. and dressed in the most perfect taste.

 "This is a trap-door which leads out on to the roof. We had to pay a large sum to hush the matter up. who committed the crime. I knows well where it is. That d might be an a."He came across sullenly enough."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. 1882. who proved to be a harmless tradesman canvassing for orders. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. on medieval pottery.' said the foreman. He would send a scout on ahead. I have marvelled at it since.