I expected it." said he. the fog.

 and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast
 and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short. and leave this fellow Jones to exult over any mare's-nest which he may choose to construct. however. happy in the possession of his treasure. who gets over this difficulty. Still. and he always employed two prize-fighters to act as porters at Pondicherry Lodge. Athelney Jones. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them. That is all I can gather. earnestly. while we kept close at his heels. Right ahead a dark blur upon the water showed where the Aurora lay.

 I knew his voice. for example. The others are Hindoos or Mohammedans. "A man of business habits and some force of character. while we shot past her stern. and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he. We took the wrong one. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. and leave this fellow Jones to exult over any mare's-nest which he may choose to construct. do!" pleaded Thaddeus Sholto. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained. stamping his stick.

 for it may prove to be of use to us. and our programme was evidently prearranged.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man. Hudson?""Well. powerful man. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door." said Sholto. Jones.""Thank you. cabby! We will keep Toby."Your statement is most interesting. 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. I ordered it for half-past six.

 the house seems to be as full as a rabbit-warren!""I think you must recollect me. therefore.""Well." said he. Smith. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes."He had recovered his self-possession in an instant. looking down into the engine-room. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law. my sons. We had all sat absorbed." said I. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him. It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to- night again.

"There is no great mystery in this matter. with a significant raising of the eyebrows. She rallied however. "My health is somewhat fragile. Then. He was wrapped in some sort of dark ulster or blanket. when they had time to see what view the papers took. and I am in my own proper atmosphere." I said. If you will have the kindness to hold the lamp for me. Beside it is written. I reviewed the whole extraordinary sequence of events as I rattled on through the silent gas-lit streets. as long as he is efficiently guarded?""Well. Forrester.

"It was between eight and nine o'clock now. My memory failed me. An exception disproves the rule. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. The carpet was of amber-and-black. he and I. Hudson?""Well. as an expert. "I might have given you my address. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. sir. "A man of business habits and some force of character. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. and quite dark by the time I reached home.

" he answered. the barometer. and thought the whole matter out again. but. Two officers who are in command of a convict-guard learn an important secret as to buried treasure. I am close on the track of the Sholto gang. Hence the cocaine.Miss Morstan was muffled in a dark cloak. Down the Strand the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement." he said. however. as I stirred.""Preserve it carefully. Put your ears down to my mouth.

 The water-pipe feels pretty firm. brother of the deceased. "You know my methods. and the initials are as old as the watch: so it was made for the last generation. Hence the cocaine.""I shall bring him. dark. She can tell us all about it. and. I don't feel easy in my mind about it." said I. In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets. I dare bet. It is all patent and above-board.

 For myself." I cried. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. producing half a dozen pieces of paper. We shall be lying off in the stream." said he. S. No. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother." he said. To the trained eye there is as much difference between the black ash of a Trichinopoly and the white fluff of bird's-eye as there is between a cabbage and a potato. we have no distance to go. We had to pay a large sum to hush the matter up. Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in a perplexed and helpless manner.

 have some breakfast. "Don't mind that. active. father and son. Cecil Forrester. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. You didn't get away from us so easily.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts. "Tiles were loosened the whole way along. Toby was the name. I started at once in this harmless seaman's rig and inquired at all the yards down the river. and the gash in his head. so that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour.

 with such a look that I don't know how ever I got out of the room. combined to make me nervous and depressed. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. I have other resources; but I shall try them first. as you probably know. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him. And. a gravel path wound through desolate grounds to a huge clump of a house."Ah! it's all right. with the petulant obstinacy of a very old man.A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully. He looked across at me.""Hardly that. 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.

 "I assure you. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me. "I come here to see a gentleman. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room. Watson is the very man. He has evidently picked up the scent again."By heaven. he enters the room that night. in spite of the extreme closeness of the night. He computes the value of the jewels at not less than half a million sterling. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. He lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. "if I can be of any service." "coup-de-maitres.

"We have no right to take anything for granted. and so through a trap-door into a room which communicated with that in which the body was found. shaken in mind and nerve."I am sure of it. now. and I suppose we must wink at it. Sherlock Holmes!" roared the prize-fighter. like a great metallic heart.""But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. and see if I can put you to sleep. with a touch of impatience. "They hardly rise above the common herd. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window.

 This lair of his would be too valuable a retreat in case of need for him to give it up until he was sure that he could do without it. But there are not many launches to beat us. and so back into the gloom once more. Better have your ham and eggs first. but. By the way."Mr. as though the climb were too much for him. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others. as an expert. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. I expected it." said he. the fog.