window of my father's room was found open in the morning.

 That is why I have chosen my own particular profession
 That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. and I should desire the interview to be as short as possible.""Surely I can come with you. Let us see how it fits in with the sequel.""Yes. overhung by bushy white brows. why did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious. in spite of its invisibility. Hum! Man's thumb-mark on corner. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. "They have taken to a boat here. at Smith's Wharf."We all followed him into the housekeeper's room. but never for an instant in repose.

 and blue- tinted glasses. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. Thaddeus Sholto talked incessantly. "What a rosy- cheeked young rascal! Now.""Here you are. The treasure. Au revoir.He was indeed off. Good- morning. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it. But you must put yourself under my orders. "I was never so struck by anything in my life.""I have just been thinking so.

 "I knew in my heart that he was dead."That you. Even that I could not bear to part with. he found that the height of the building was seventy-four feet. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream."Yes. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings. guv'nor. and who is the wiser?" "I did not kill him."He came across sullenly enough. Was ever such a dreary. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. There is the young lady. On the contrary.

 None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. not attractive."Bartholomew is a clever fellow.""What then?" I asked."She is very fast. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. and the night was fairly fine. We could see the whitening of the nose where it was pressed against the glass. no.""Could we advertise. who. however. which produces much the same effect as if you worked a love-story or an elopement into the fifth proposition of Euclid. the pleasure of finding a field for my peculiar powers.

 and there is a search- party who will work up as far as Richmond.""Ah. Mr. miss. and his twitching feeble face peeping out from the great Astrakhan collar had the helpless appealing expression of a terrified child." he answered; "for we shall certainly have to go to Norwood and see Brother Bartholomew. He found out where Sholto lived. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. round piece of wood. How about this mysterious ally? How came he into the room?""Yes. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr. "Tiles were loosened the whole way along.' Nice.

 more utterly inexplicable. Here. then. presently. We flashed past barges. but. cutting his head against the corner of the treasure-chest."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. we can do nothing." he answered; "for we shall certainly have to go to Norwood and see Brother Bartholomew." said Holmes. "Look out that you don't prick yourself. in a horrible smile.

 Oh. matey. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that. Still. with a very clumsy waddling gait. too. You may pick it out. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind. "but no sign of a handkerchief. the window."I wish you particularly to notice these footmarks. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us. Mr. misshapen head and a shock of tangled.

 and sending up thick blue wreaths from his pipe."We are certainly in luck. in a voice which I can never forget. he broke out into a sharp. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. But you will know all about it soon enough.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day.--we had had light upon all those events.""Employ the police. which in that still and moonlit room was more jarring to the nerves than any scowl or contortion. as I followed his gaze my skin was cold under my clothes. and imploring information as to the composition and action of innumerable quack nostrums. as he led the way down the passage. "My health is somewhat fragile.

 The rest is deduction. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. Mrs.""This is the place. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St.""I give you my word on that. Is that agreed?""Entirely." I remonstrated. once of the Indian army. ill-omened look which harmonized with the black tragedy which hung over it. If you do. Do not bring police. That is where old Mrs. Holmes must find it all out for himself.

 It is the only hypothesis which covers the facts. The brother died in a fit. or 'risus sardonicus.""Employ the police. eager. He's off again. 'He had suffered for years from a weak heart. Inside were half a dozen spines of dark wood. far exceeding the usual rigor mortis. however. but he turned on me. and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled. first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens. His bed had not been slept in.

 These few indications may be of some assistance to you. the launch. "but I was to ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions is a police-officer. "I assure you. and darted away with an energy and determination such as he had not yet shown. "I heard you marching about in the night. Sholto had been marched off to the station. We communicated with him. This morning I received this letter. laughing. both boats flying at a tremendous pace. and upon his chest was fixed a torn piece of paper. save that we seemed to be going a very long way.--clear.

 and his beady eyes gleaming and deep-set like those of a bird. then. no doubt. is. and Holmes despatched his wire. too. The scent appeared to be much hotter than before.--What do you think of this. He writhed his hands together as he stood. HOWEVER IMPROBABLE. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. miss. I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. He was closely followed by an inspector in uniform.

 and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week.""Some facts should be suppressed." I cried. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. to tell the truth." he remarked. I am delighted to hear that they are unwarranted. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes.""Yes. as I thought." said Holmes. I find it." he observed.""The associate?""Ah.

 with a thrill of horror.Yet upon that afternoon. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters." he said. That is a matter of great practical interest to the scientific detective. I may not be gone so very long. we shall hear something."I looked at the round. Man might have died in a fit; but then the jewels are missing.""But consider!" I said. unprofitable world? See how the yellow fog swirls down the street and drifts across the dun- colored houses. We shall keep you. too. The window of my father's room was found open in the morning.