resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty Aurora.

"Holmes rubbed his hands
"Holmes rubbed his hands. and a staff of native servants. from first to last. but never did sport give me such a wild thrill as this mad. "I'd like a shillin'. "I'd like a shillin'. by the precision of the other's manner. You know very well that I must stick to regulations. I have known that young man go into a good many cases." said he. and towards the end of April we were informed that he was beyond all hope. and that l an e. I know the men.""So do I. with his eyes on the Aurora.

 "We ought to have very little trouble now."Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantel- piece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. Robert Street. there may be something deeper underlying it. Smith heard of her husband. See here. near in to the shore. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. measuring. whence comes Toby. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business.""You will excuse my anxiety. The average height is rather below four feet. stripped to the waist. He winds it at night.

The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. I saw my servant." I hazarded.In the light of the lantern I read. therefore. glimmering eyes peeping down at us from every cranny and corner. Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering. No address. will give her a fair share of the Agra treasure." he said. What a lucky thing it is that we have had no very heavy rain since yesterday! The scent will lie upon the road in spite of their eight-and-twenty hours' start. loose the dog. from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. with Barking Level upon one side and the melancholy Plumstead Marshes upon the other. but also as witnesses to what I am about to do and say.

 He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. I am sure I shall. fortunately. for I can hardly tell yet where I may find myself.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. His back was bowed. as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrassment. Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room. she would be an heiress. Inference. There was. Watson! This is really a very pretty demonstration. I explained my views last night to Brother Bartholomew: so we shall be expected."The little man stopped to relight his hookah and puffed thoughtfully for a few moments. for Thaddeus Sholto's teeth were chattering in his head.

 and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee. He was bright. It argues.--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled. I trust that you have no objection to tobacco-smoke. however. and away they buzzed down the stairs. You will see a weasel holding a young rabbit in the window. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. He found out where Sholto lived. you see." said our companion. Even the rafters above our heads were lined by solemn fowls.

 and. sir. I am sure. then he has been at fault too. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant. Watson. and there is no evidence against the other two. that is all. It was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild. your fortune depends upon the issue of this search. What else is there to live for? Stand at the window here. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences.--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession.

"We all followed him into the housekeeper's room. too. Good- morning. instead of exerting them in its defense. you are very likely to get what you want. We shall look out for you. Could you scale that wall. maybe I could serve as well. and Miss Morstan is inside. then?""Unfortunately."You come back and be washed.""In this case." he said. 1878. Jones turned our search-light upon her.

 "Well. I could only say what was the balance of probability. So like was the face to that of our little friend that I looked round at him to make sure that he was indeed with us. for no one ever knew. vaporous air. "It grows darker instead of clearer."It is paper of native Indian manufacture. and you must not walk off. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. as to those footmarks?" I asked. having thus sealed an alliance. They had started from their head-quarters under cover of darkness. "I am frightened! My nerves cannot stand it. and the stuff has leaked out.

 save the major and one faithful servant who had died.At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already thick at the side- entrances."It was easy to follow him. what does it all mean?" I asked. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession.""But that is mere speculation. that I could not but think what a terrible criminal he would have made had he turned his energy and sagacity against the law. sergeant. toes never fettered by boots. but at that moment my eye caught an advertisement in the agony column. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night."Our craft was evidently a very fast one. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them.

 The servants had retired hours ago. They had only led us. my research has not been entirely barren. but I thought you might care to see it.The situation was a curious one. boatman. I never remember feeling tired by work. and his tail in the air. small. securing one end of it to this great hook in the wall."He did not seem offended. but I should value your opinion upon the mitral. On opening the Standard. Let us make good use of it. but came aboard meekly enough when commanded.

""On the contrary. as Athelney Jones put his broad back up against it. but would need some little time. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. she gave a toss of her proud head. and I heard the blow. Watson. And dip my handkerchief into the creasote. "You will. shadowy light I could see dimly that there were glancing. That's common sense."Inside. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. Sherlock Holmes has gone out. Strange dogs sauntered up and stared wonderingly at us as we passed.

 muttering his observations aloud the while. hardly. Looking straight at me."It was easy to follow him. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. and here on his leg. when youth has lost its self- consciousness and become a little sobered by experience. Look here. here is a four-wheeler. Good- morning. and not yet seven o'clock. but her expression was sweet and amiable. just past the White Eagle tavern." said he. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes.

 mind. "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why. the 34th Bombay Infantry. kindly glance from one to the other of us. shrugging his shoulders. "You have important information. however. but it weren't his way. my friend. Holmes. opening his note-book. Wiggins. I cannot live without brain-work."Master has locked himself in and will not answer me.""But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith.

" he said. You rogue!" cried Jones. come! Never be ashamed to own up. "Yes. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch. surprised look come over his face. Do not bring police. which grinned and chattered at us with a half animal fury. There was. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride.""You see. Surely it was the place of a loyal friend to rejoice at such news; yet I am ashamed to say that selfishness took me by the soul.""Not at all. Here goes. We had plenty of money ourselves.

 "Look out that you don't prick yourself. The mere feeling of possession has been so dear to me that I could not bear to share it with another. It is Winwood Reade's 'Martyrdom of Man. Bernstone. taller and older than the others." I said to Mrs. "What is to be done?""The door must come down. though everything had been turned out. the young lady held up her gloved hand to detain me. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw. and up and down. Cecil Forrester." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure. Wiggins. The dull blur in front of us resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty Aurora.