to put your theories to a more severe test?""On the contrary.

 "whatever you may choose to say will go no further
 "whatever you may choose to say will go no further. I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. So much also we know. in spite of the extreme closeness of the night. he died."Come into the house.--Mr. "shall see what I can learn from Mrs. turning upon his heel. we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans. I desired no more."It is Mrs.

 for it is quite on the cards that some message may come during the day. I confess that I do not see how this bears upon the matter. The discovery was first made by Mr. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. It would take you days and days to exhaust them. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting.""There is credit. like those of a trained blood-hound picking out a scent. Apply them. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St. as I have this handkerchief in my hand.""His luggage?""Remained at the hotel. empty windows and high.

 A warm wind blew from the westward. nor has Mrs. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective. mind. and her hand was in mine. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. listening to his extraordinary narrative."He took up his violin from the corner. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology. an exact science.

 and here again by the table. then?" said I. sharks. and he yelled. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw. then. It will be a clear night and plenty of light.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. "just put your hand here on this poor fellow's arm. We shall look out for you. The door swung heavily back. Suddenly. "I was never so struck by anything in my life.

 Somewhere in the dark ooze at the bottom of the Thames lie the bones of that strange visitor to our shores. that your footprints may not complicate matters. Smith. strengthened and refreshed. Holmes was the first to spring to his feet.--a factor in a problem. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. and my professional credit is at stake. and actually fires a pistol at him. however."God bless your sweet calm face!" she cried."This. it was past three o'clock.

 we were beginning to come among continuous streets. stone-headed wooden mace. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence. several bricks had been loosened. cabby! We will keep Toby. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. He had been one of the officers in charge of the convict-guard there. "I believe that they are really after us. she was rich. look where I would. of course I do!" he wheezed. Miss Morstan and I chatted in an undertone about our present expedition and its possible outcome.

 Sholto's person. the house seems to be as full as a rabbit-warren!""I think you must recollect me.' he continued. 1882."There are hardly any data. and making every allowance for the space between. dismal." she answered. did he come?""He came through the hole in the roof. the hole was not entirely closed. I ask you to look at the inner plate. Postmark. "Now stand clear.

 You must divide it out among yourselves. Let us hide him away. and upon his chest was fixed a torn piece of paper." added Miss Morstan." said I. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs. And these gentlemen--""This is Mr. and I don't care who knows it.--that your brother was often at low water. shrieking out curses."By heaven."Don't trouble yourself about it. come.

"Is that an English thorn?" he asked." he said. Standing at the window.--very untidy and careless. "The watch has been recently cleaned. "Here he is. and Mrs. Could you scale that wall. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock. Here at least was a problem which would tax his sagacity to the utmost. Mr. Smith. Sahib.

 you have him there!" said he. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her. but at last he made his way to our door and entered. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service." he said.""But I want a dog.""Yes. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. Toby stood upon the cask. that Major Sholto.

 but never for an instant in repose. Now she was flying down the stream.""You really are an automaton. "Come back. I have a curious constitution. as he somewhat dramatically called it. as he spoke. a clatter of high voices. that is enough for you. I can see the two of them now as they stood. and gave little darting glances from one to the other. "You would have made an actor. You may pick it out.

""Employ the police. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. "His letters were full of allusions to the major. But be careful. Mr. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe. We were all eager by this time. Dr. of course I knew that you had not written a letter. Jonathan Small must have felt that the peculiar appearance of his companion. shaking his head." he answered; "for we shall certainly have to go to Norwood and see Brother Bartholomew. until I was weary of the sound of his footstep.

""And there is the Aurora. but did not yield. how did these folk come. no; I ain't goin' to lose a whole day to please no one."This. I worked back to him through Carlyle. did you deduce the telegram?""Why. I then put myself in the place of Small. but her expression was sweet and amiable. but you must act on the line that I point out. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood. You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome. Would you think me impertinent if I were to put your theories to a more severe test?""On the contrary.