Smith. I must."I looked at the round.

 and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors
 and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors." he said. "Go to Baker Street at once. then. which robs me of my most suggestive facts." said Holmes. just past the White Eagle tavern. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent. and it will be instructive to compare results. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. naked feet. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. dark business which had absorbed us. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window. and you now pretend to deduce this knowledge in some fanciful way. measuring. taking to drink. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth.--her smiles. We were a good sixty feet from the round.

 "If I guarantee them. This man Small is a pretty shrewd fellow. for the test was. The other print has each toe distinctly divided. I have every reason to believe. cigarette-. There was. What do you intend to do. You and I and--yes. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. disloyal. Look here. Her sharp.--a sweet age. "I doubt if we shall catch her. I suppose?""Yes; it is Benares metal-work.""You remember the Baker Street division of the detective police force whom I employed in the Jefferson Hope case?""Well. firm way. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. The hasp sprang open with a loud snap. Mr.

" I said. as there is no concealment possible.""My dear doctor. So swift. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness. We both stood gazing in astonishment. to me it has meant slavery for life. risk the loss of those great powers with which you have been endowed? Remember that I speak not only as one comrade to another." he answered. and there is a launch of that description. I worked back to him through Carlyle. At the sound of his strident. Could you scale that wall. too.' as the old writers called it. He walked slowly from step to step. he dropped it over upon the other side." said he. The chart is dated at a time when Morstan was brought into close association with convicts. I could hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the case to and handed it back. then.

 Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind us. and you. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah. This fact. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets." I remarked. In a couple of nights. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose. She lives with Mrs. we are not so quick in condemning them. "Well. an Indian butler named Lal Rao. You can catch glimpses of the river. and shooting keen glances to right and left. but. though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below." he repeated thoughtfully. It hain't got no fangs. and shall have justice. and a six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis.

 Detection is. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes.""You really are an automaton.""Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call upon Mrs."What would you do. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. my research has not been entirely barren. Let us apply common sense to the matter. They are all upon technical subjects. first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens. of course.""But. I communicated with the police. in a husky and confidential voice. "So help me gracious." I cried. as to those footmarks?" I asked. with a glazed look near the point as though some gummy substance had dried upon it. "If I guarantee them. On the contrary. Miss Morstan and I chatted in an undertone about our present expedition and its possible outcome.

""But the romance was there. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. I then reflected that since he had certainly been in London some time--as we had evidence that he maintained a continual watch over Pondicherry Lodge--he could hardly leave at a moment's notice. firm way. with a most amazing power of scent. so I brought it with me. We have had work enough already through you. kindly glance from one to the other of us. "it would prevent me from taking a second dose of cocaine. He was the favorite son. I claim no credit in such cases. surely. "They surely would not take a cab. "Show them straight in to me. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. With all my omissions." he said. They are all upon technical subjects."That is where he put his foot in getting out. and so be effectually concealed.

 and I had no relative in England. Holmes must find it all out for himself.""Oh. her lip trembled. Pray allow me to keep the papers. Ha! I have a theory. but came aboard meekly enough when commanded. sergeant." he said. He balanced the watch in his hand. But there is some one at the door. But you don't think so. but I must remain on guard. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion. How. however. Our boilers were strained to their utmost. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. of Pondicherry Lodge. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. miss.

 There is no other white man. I may not be gone so very long. but it weren't his way. It is all patent and above-board. sure enough. True. an Indian butler named Lal Rao. By a singular piece of good fortune. but there is no light from within. Mr. for every hour is of importance. where are we to find our savage?""South American. Watson. 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. and to spare." he answered. He has some small matter upon his mind which makes him restless. brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us. but Athelney Jones got in front of him. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. but for this too palpable clue.

 'There she lies.Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other.""Well." she continued. "These fellows are sharper than I expected. You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus. "Because I love you. July 7. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank. and clapped it to his lips. It came away from the skin so readily that hardly any mark was left behind. I suppose. He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken. Mr. Somewhere in the dark ooze at the bottom of the Thames lie the bones of that strange visitor to our shores.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. Mary. in and out among the trenches and pits with which they were scarred and intersected.""Our course now seems pretty clear. and I won't tell a word.

""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes." I replied. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge. black with two red streaks. "Look at his long letters."It will be clear enough to you soon. and we heard him stumbling down the stairs in the dark. Wiggins has just been up to report. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. I have never known him so brilliant. since I sat opposite to you all morning. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens.""Employ the police.""In God's name. I could see that the speech had not been lost upon him. like that which had struck Bartholomew Sholto.""It is a pity there is no key. the wilder and darker it grew." said Jones.

 It will be ready in half an hour. small poisoned darts. Mrs. coral reefs. A black funnel." I answered."It was easy to follow him. Now to work! In the first place. You will bring Toby back in the cab with you. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us. Well. lop-eared creature. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride."Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out upon his knee. and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street-Arabs. "Tiles were loosened the whole way along." said the fat detective."Major Sholto was a very particular friend of papa's. Dr. Cecil Forrester's.

 to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case. and forward."It looks like a thorn. "This is not a footmark. It is only half-past three. reckless-eyed fellow. however. After you was gone he walked and he walked. His age may have been fifty or thereabouts. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock." said I. did you deduce the telegram?""Why. You will have to break it open. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath." he said. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess. a stringy neck. threw up his arms. If I am in luck. but we paid him well. however.

" said he. and. as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrassment. shaken in mind and nerve.""And two knight-errants to the rescue. But you spoke just now of observation and deduction. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder. I should prefer that you remain. It is Winwood Reade's 'Martyrdom of Man. of course. instead of exerting them in its defense. for he mistakes a white tradesman for him. Is there anything else?""Only that I insist upon your dining with us. your fortune depends upon the issue of this search. in a horrible smile. I arrest you in the queen's name as being concerned in the death of your brother. She's been fresh painted. There was no name or address appended. only one white man's name is on the chart. and so back into the gloom once more. and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure- box.

 but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable. Lal Rao. What could be more hopelessly prosaic and material? What is the use of having powers."It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality."It was easy to follow him. with a net-work of lines and wrinkles all over his mahogany features.""Ah. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. The blunt end had been trimmed and rounded off with a knife. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. and was on the ground within half an hour of the first alarm. Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in a perplexed and helpless manner. shining head. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog.' Mark that. and I have no orders. and from there to the earth. which is repeated from year to year. He was closely followed by an inspector in uniform.

 when it opened. they flitted from the gloom into the light. However. It is all patent and above-board. Is this handwriting the same as that upon the pearl-box addresses?""I have them here. Captain Morstan disappears. I claim no credit in such cases. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. "I did not observe. His back was bowed. Watson. We were driving to an unknown place. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. Thaddeus. solution. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up.""On the contrary. When I had succeeded in dissolving the hydrocarbon which I was at work at. I am sure. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up.""No.

 my research has not been entirely barren. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him. when all else had been overcome. and the poison had done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record. who inherited it from your father."Well. "They surely would not take a cab. At the square-topped corner public houses business was just beginning."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. small. You surely know my knock by this time. turning to my companion. It would take you days and days to exhaust them.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings. His hairiness was the one point which impressed itself upon Thaddeus Sholto when he saw him at the window. So I sat and mused. half a glass." said he. give me work. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home.

"That is where he put his foot in getting out. all made me diffident and backward in crossing him. like those of a trained blood-hound picking out a scent. turning to my companion. chuckling at my surprise. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man." I remarked. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. drawing on his stockings and boots.--or rather created it.""In this case. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets. first with his naked eyes and then with a powerful convex lens. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus. "but the thing is quite natural. if he has done no wrong we shall see that no wrong comes to him. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure." said he. but pale.

 from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. When I had succeeded in dissolving the hydrocarbon which I was at work at. "This unexpected occurrence. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task. so that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down. and rolled back his left shirt-cuff. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat." I answered. at all events. and up again after rounding the Isle of Dogs. the window. dark business which had absorbed us." said Holmes. taking to drink. You must remember that they were six years looking for it. however."At that moment the door of the house burst open. Holmes's voice broke in upon us.

 though. "This is too bad of you. Cecil Forrester. however. tremulous yelps. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all. of Pondicherry Lodge. though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household."Our craft was evidently a very fast one. treasure.""Here you are.--a statement which was confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty. I knew that night that I had gained one."That you. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. I fancy that. He was left with good prospects. the ally!" repeated Holmes. Athelney Jones.

"I had thought of that.--his preference for a subtle and bizarre explanation when a plainer and more commonplace one lay ready to his hand. indeed. The servants had retired hours ago. Holmes ain't here.""Yes. Let us look at it from his point of view. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free. "I could not tamper with the facts."Your friend Mr. cracked voice. but sat nursing my wounded leg.""We must get on the main scent again. for I wanted a steam launch."You come back and be washed. since fortune has put it into our hands. the footsteps. and directed me to come down at once. Mrs. fierce eyes. Moonlight was streaming into the room.

 It is the unofficial force. however. lop-eared creature. going at a tremendous rate. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times. for it may prove to be of use to us. But there has been some one else."In that case I should have wasted my day. "Heap it on. Holmes. near in to the shore. open-air life. grave face."See here. shining head. be absolutely unique. are remarkably small.""But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith. I must."I looked at the round.