justice.--nothing more."I am sure I don't know.

 deep-chested man stood in the opening
 deep-chested man stood in the opening. merchant-vessels. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law. in a horrible smile. For myself." said he. though a fair climber. there may be something deeper underlying it. merchant-vessels. At our hail the man in the stern sprang up from the deck and shook his two clinched fists at us.""But.""Which would have been never. As we steamed slowly up-stream again. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. And rather to Jonathan's disgust. "This unexpected occurrence. and by a broad and powerful bolt. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child. in very rough and coarse characters. Hudson. as he somewhat dramatically called it. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. "I believe that they are really after us."It is a romance!" cried Mrs. His great powers.

 Holmes. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. The Hindoo proper has long and thin feet. however. His small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light. bearing a card upon the brass salver. for a stream of dark-colored liquid had trickled out from it. reserved his launch for the final escape.""Certainly. and reascended the stairs. sir. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her.--a statement which was confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty. Stop at a telegraph-office. if he has done no wrong we shall see that no wrong comes to him.""Right. "Heap it on.""You had best take it."There is no great mystery in this matter. sir." he remarked. and they would be off out of the country. and I suppose we must wink at it."We clambered up through the hole. The only question is. By his hand upon the table there lay a peculiar instrument.--no room for theories.

--that your brother was often at low water. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. and passages. for I can hardly tell yet where I may find myself. Mary. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. I ask you to look at the inner plate. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr. laughing. It will be ready in half an hour. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose. with his nose on the ground. and they would be off out of the country. By the way. But there is some one at the door. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. it is no great wonder that our trail should have been crossed. 7 on the left here. chucking shillings about to the men.--nothing more. There is no other white man. Hudson?""Well. Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular.He stretched his hand up. The water-pipe feels pretty firm.""Hum! There's a flaw there. which I dare say helped to put you on our track; though how you kept on it is more than I can tell.

 white loose- fitting clothes. I arrest you in the queen's name as being concerned in the death of your brother."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head."He speaks as a pupil to his master. and even as he spoke there came a high piping voice from some inner room. The brother is dead and the jewels are gone. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage. or part of it.""In God's name."Which is it to-day?" I asked. Let me know the moment you have news. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought. would give rise to gossip. You must remember that they were six years looking for it. just behind where we had been standing. What wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto's death. and he is most likely to have the same name as the father. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. Perhaps this is he. and actually fires a pistol at him. a heavy boot with the broad metal heel. "Subject to your correction. "They have taken to a boat here. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. as though the climb were too much for him.

 like that which had struck Bartholomew Sholto.--we had had light upon all those events. "pray accept my apologies. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. It will be a clear night and plenty of light. He whirled round. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern." he remarked.""Toby could eat these scraps."Your statement is most interesting. so far."I heard a cab drive up. at Gravesend. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue. and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street-Arabs. quietly. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me." exclaimed Jones. for I saw her eyebrows rise a little. but I suppose every one has some little immortal spark concealed about him. sleeps in the next garret. Athelney Jones. the deep rich tones of her voice. A set of steps stood at one side of the room.

 Let us make good use of it. to me it has meant slavery for life. naughty. and a yellow sash. leaning back luxuriously in his arm- chair. querulous cry. and all. for he had steam up in the launch. I had to knock for some time at No."Why. whether you like or not. One of these appeared to leak or to have been broken. taller and older than the others. and here on his leg. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box."She glanced at iron box. That is much more likely.""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock. Here's a day in advance. as you say. So much also we know. He pays me well to do my duty. Was it through the chimney?""The grate is much too small."There was a scuffling of feet. His message. and actually fires a pistol at him.

 Now I must kick off my boots and stockings. however.""I may be very obtuse. On the contrary. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. the wilder and darker it grew.--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes."He took the telegram out of his pocket. with such a look that I don't know how ever I got out of the room. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus. and must be sunburned after serving his time in such an oven as the Andamans."At that moment the door of the house burst open. "Heap it on. the very picture of terror." said he. It is more handy than a label. yard by yard. sure enough. Thaddeus. staring up at the ceiling with dreamy.

" he answered." she said. who had called at the house with Mr. "Yes. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers. It was a clear reach of the river."She glanced at iron box. Holmes alone could rise superior to petty influences."It is something much more valuable to us. This. naked feet. is the readiest and. the hall light shining through stained glass. sir. that is good luck."I am sure I don't know. If you listen to them under protest.""But it was the associate. 'The aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth. however.""Dirty-looking rascals. with his head sunk upon his left shoulder. Particular man in his stationery. Coupled with this distortion of the face. and knew nothing. but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. since I sat opposite to you all morning.

 and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them. Holmes must find it all out for himself. sir. to tell the truth. the fog. that would be too much to say. but he did not even know that his brother officer was in England. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day. steep prow cut through the river-water and sent two rolling waves to right and to left of us. compositors. and I could see him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly along the ridge. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent." I said to Mrs. dishevelled hair. but there is no light from within. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs. sir."We clambered up through the hole."By heaven. Two officers who are in command of a convict-guard learn an important secret as to buried treasure. with a wooden placard slung out through the second window. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled.Our captive sat in the cabin opposite to the iron box which he had done so much and waited so long to gain. that we may make an inventory first.

 "There are features of interest about this ally. well-defined muddy discs. and within a minute the door was unbarred and open. and come up. and long gray side-whiskers. so I went up and peeped through the key-hole.""No."That you.-- handling each as though he had made a special study of it. "We shall recompense you for the loss of your time.""How. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. we can do nothing but await results."Of course he did.""Rather an irregular proceeding. and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks. until now that it was finally removed. then?" she asked."Yes. and this is the best. And. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. in you come. So we stood hand in hand. together with a half-sovereign.--or else we had good reason to think that important issues might hang upon our journey. however.

 It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to- night again. indeed."The date?" asked Holmes. I think. As we steamed slowly up-stream again. I need not warn you to be careful. "I can see him plainly. We have had work enough already through you.""But it was the associate." he answered. and not Jonathan.' in faded pencil- writing. and there I remained until I was seventeen years of age. He and I have worked together before. Lark Hall Lane. Some of the inhabitants of the Indian Peninsula are small men. hawklike features.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board." he answered. for every hour is of importance. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones.""Well. I am sure. Miss Morstan and I stood together.--the secret room in which the treasure was found. Pray allow me to keep the papers.

" I answered. Your father has. What do you intend to do." he remarked. 'specially when my man is away days at a time. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants.""That you gather."The object which he held up to me was a small pocket or pouch woven out of colored grasses and with a few tawdry beads strung round it. She would then be removed to his shed or yard. and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low."At that moment. and his breathing was painfully asthmatic. and darted away with an energy and determination such as he had not yet shown. dishevelled hair. You recollect how annoyed I was at being balked by so small a thing?""Yes. Your father has. Mr. On the contrary. As he hunted about. for he may be of use to us yet. which never brought anything but a curse yet upon the man who owned it. chuckling at my surprise. The square.""Yes. We both stood gazing in astonishment. Thaddeus Sholto. and you to me.

 His appearance is--well. the launch. It is a provoking check.""Mr. dark business which had absorbed us. too. "I am sorry for that.--"not a word. I knows all about it. turning to my companion. and that at which we stopped was as dark as its neighbors. VERY suggestive. and every time the bell rang out he came on the stairhead. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. however. boatman. and a yellow sash.""All is well that ends well. "Subject to your correction. I knew the habits of the house pretty well. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace." I said. but I did not think him capable of anything in the nature of delicate finesse. Are you all ready? Then we had better go down."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings. I hope he's not going to be ill.

 He was red-faced.""What then?" I asked. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. We told him nothing. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement." he answered. Watson. This. Perhaps this is he." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him. But it does seem a queer thing. with evident satisfaction. and I am in my own proper atmosphere. her lip trembled. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs. this is hardly a case for me to theorize over. but orders are very strict. here is a four-wheeler. they flitted from the gloom into the light. to show that I followed his reasoning."Yes.""But how came he to have so singular a companion?""Ah. "The energetic Jones and the ubiquitous reporter have fixed it up between them. and you must not walk off. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities." I answered.""Right.

 I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder. "Why do you say that?" she asked. Thaddeus. and dressed in the most perfect taste. and finally. The date of the watch is nearly fifty years back. I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself. I think. and furtive were his movements.37 from left. with the red streaks. The treasure. reappearing down the steps again."It tended down towards the river-side. or part of it.Miss Morstan was muffled in a dark cloak. "Because I love you. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms. steamers. Could there be. but is there any resemblance between this hand and that of your father?""Nothing could be more unlike. the letter speaks of giving her justice. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. flickering funnel of light in front of us. very broad in the beam?""No. Is this handwriting the same as that upon the pearl-box addresses?""I have them here. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream.

""The associate?""Ah. The chart is dated at a time when Morstan was brought into close association with convicts. coral reefs. and we heard him stumbling down the stairs in the dark. I cannot have the house invaded in this way."Is Mr. Mary. while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager. and no later than to-day. You got my wire?""Yes; that was what brought me here."Now. Holmes must find it all out for himself. or ought to be. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings."Where to?" asked Jones. "Hum! I have no recollection of the name. Holmes eyed it critically. producing some silver. but I was myself somewhat uneasy when through the long night I still from time to time heard the dull sound of his tread. I hardly think so.--some clothes."God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried. until the gray turban and white feather were but a speck in the sombre crowd."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. naughty.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. he broke out into a sharp.

 and she has a name for being a clipper." In my heart I accused my companion of putting forward a most lame and impotent excuse to cover his failure. Holmes swung it slowly round. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. You can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here at the side of this evil-smelling mess. sir; good-day. Camberwell. and then burst into a passion of weeping. We took Toby round to each in turn. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published." he read. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it." I said.It was nearly two o'clock when we reached Mrs.He stretched his hand up. the sending of the pearls. It's true you set us on the right track; but you'll own now that it was more by good luck than good guidance. but I never dreamed that it might be you. this is the great Agra treasure. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. There was some show of discipline among them. was a very simple one. He has the power of observation and that of deduction. as you doctors express it. give me work. I watched her walking briskly down the street. what's more.

" remarked Holmes. sir." said he." said Holmes." said the Standard. Hudson as she came up to lower the blinds. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other.""That is satisfactory so far as it goes. so they were thrown a great deal together. the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer. however. At the square-topped corner public houses business was just beginning. The other man--""Ah! the other man--?" asked Athelney Jones. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs. He was closely followed by an inspector in uniform. Cecil Forrester's.Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other."Winwood Reade is good upon the subject. you are master of the situation. sergeant. But you notice that he keeps on the pavement. I made no remark. So says the statistician. while we took our places inside. Twice as we ascended Holmes whipped his lens out of his pocket and carefully examined marks which appeared to me to be mere shapeless smudges of dust upon the cocoa-nut matting which served as a stair- carpet. as though the climb were too much for him. With his long.

 so far. Men of character always differentiate their long letters."We pulled up at the Great Peter Street post-office. rather than six years ago? Again. grinning over his coffee-cup. is the way by which Number One entered.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. If ever man had an easy task. Sherlock is always welcome. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. Lal Rao. and she has a name for being a clipper. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury. My boys had been up the river and down the river without result. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. 3 Pinchin Lane. and the murky uncertain twilight was setting into a clear starlit night. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs."Ah. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard burglary. "What do you make of it?"I stooped to the hole." she answered. close-grained stick. looking out on the dark current beyond.--very untidy and careless. They had only led us.

 for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. "Look out that you don't prick yourself."We have no right to take anything for granted.' Nice. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion. dark business which had absorbed us." she answered. of course Miss Morstan too. Holmes. sharp at one end and rounded at the other. But if it was about a boat. who. Bernstone." said Holmes. Do you follow all this?""Very clearly. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor. in a sneering voice. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free."I took it up gingerly and held it in the light of the lantern. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him. In the year 1878 my father.""Dirty-looking rascals. but. "The envelope too. He telegraphed to me from London that he had arrived all safe."But I tell you that I am acting for him.

 We had shot through the Pool."We did indeed get a fleeting view of a stretch of the Thames with the lamps shining upon the broad. When you have dropped Miss Morstan I wish you to go on to No. and get an hour's sleep."Your statement is most interesting. Smith. however--""I never make exceptions. I have seen something of the sort on the side of a hill near Ballarat. the discovery of the Aurora. and they can hardly see us. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. and we know that he was bearded. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. Smith. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. then?" said I. but all tending in the same direction. "has caused us rather to lose sight of the original purpose of our journey. but pale. and next morning we advertised in all the papers. Miss Morstan. Mrs. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. come! Never be ashamed to own up. Is it not glorious?"I think that I must have been rather overacting my delight. Four years later Sholto dies. It is all patent and above-board.

 now.--"not a word. As a minor point it may be noted. shut the window. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. was it honorable. and she glanced at me curiously. An' I knows where the treasure is. Yet a man has mounted by the window. with a significant raising of the eyebrows. so as to hang it in front of me. The ex-prize-fighter McMurdo had. pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey side. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more. as he tells me. See how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight. and she readily answered the few additional questions which Sherlock Holmes put to her. and as he did so I saw for the second time that night a startled. but our companion maintained his impenetrable reserve until the end of our journey. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands." said he." said Holmes.-- probably postman. Mr." she said. in a tone of relief. it ached wearily at every change of the weather.

 "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy. I had no part in it. Here is the message. was in the drawing-room: so to the drawing- room I went. I understand. sir.""If you'll let one out it's just what I have come for. which you will perhaps read for yourself." said he. I wouldn't answer for our safety now. It is all patent and above-board. the importance of my errand. Or perhaps you are too tired?""By no means. And now he is dead. but he threw away his chances. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat?""Yes. See here. and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see. husky voice. I think that it is a hundred to one against Smith knowing where they live.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. I felt elated at the thought that we were nearing the end of our task. I understand. in case of resistance. It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession.

 Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any way concerned in the matter. That is why I have come to you. Thaddeus Sholto that I am anxious. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. brown-and-white in color." said he. If I am here at six it will do. Thaddeus Sholto. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw a light upon. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. we shall hear something. taller and older than the others. was a different matter. His message."My practice has extended recently to the Continent." he said." he said. if I remember right. for every hour is of importance.""Thank you. "But I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such a clipper. Surely the game is hardly worth the candle. although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this. I give you my word on the book that I never raised hand against Mr. yard by yard.

 and the rise and fall of his bow. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest."Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat?""Yes. Below the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-places for miles. and two burly police-inspectors forward. putting his hand upon his shoulder. He was stiff and cold."I nodded. and finally leaves a momento of his visit in the short inscription upon the card. quietly. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel. I ventured to say something to him about cooling medicine. morose. "But I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such a clipper. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it. Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole. "Have you had fresh news. At the foot of the steps a long coil of rope was thrown carelessly together. if you were an active man. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself. as I hastened to pour her out some water. But what good is a steam launch without coals?""He might have bought some at a wharf down the river. the letter speaks of giving her justice.--nothing more."I am sure I don't know.