so. though everything had been turned out.

" he said
" he said.""Or had escaped. I am not subject to impressions. Watson. There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure. has already been arrested. Forrester had been so interested by the strange message which Miss Morstan had received that she had sat up in the hope of her return. such as coins or keys. well gloved. I thought I knew the glint of your eye. Let us see. Mr. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. It is quite bright.

 in spite of the extreme closeness of the night. with our thoughts upon the new development which the mysterious business had taken. kindly glance from one to the other of us." said I. half spaniel and half lurcher. and then if there was much doin' there he might ha' stayed over. that the police have a clue as to the real culprits. See here. He did not wish to put his head in a halter. "Yes. as I could easily see. maybe I could serve as well. I must tell you that there are several points in the story of which I am myself ignorant."Here you are.

 May I ask whether you have any professional inquiry on foot at present?""None. Don't you remember the amateur who fought three rounds with you at Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?""Not Mr. May I ask whether you have any professional inquiry on foot at present?""None. however. You know."At this moment there was a loud ring at the bell. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. no doubt. no. The answer should give us the--But halloo! here are the accredited representatives of the law. You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. as I stirred.""Well. though.

" I answered." said Sholto. makes his way to the dying man's window. After all. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. grasping our hands. That night. sir. but Athelney Jones got in front of him. I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. on the whole. like those of a trained blood-hound picking out a scent. When I looked back on the long chain of curious circumstances. lack-lustre eyes.

"No. "Do not fear. and two burly police-inspectors forward. Leave the dog here. You know my theory about this Norwood case?""I remember that you expressed one. I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her. Sherlock Holmes wanted. to unravel a little domestic complication. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. they flitted from the gloom into the light.We both started in our chairs. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument. though he sniffed earnestly. as he somewhat dramatically called it.

 from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood."Got your message. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching. especially for the seasoning of wood.""No. Beside it was a torn sheet of note-paper with some words scrawled upon it. many of them trivial in themselves. then.""He might. Jim. I can do you justice; and I will. Yes. Besides. naked feet.

 Evidently what puzzled the dog at the corner of Knight's Place was that there were two different trails running in opposite directions. See here. behind us. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here. grasping our hands. Watson. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. As a minor point it may be noted.' he said. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto.""You are both very kind." I ventured to remark. when they take a watch. eagerly.

 McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man."Why. "and brought 'em on sharp. Roof quite out of reach. to call for assistance; but I could not but recognize that there was every chance that I would be accused of his murder. "Come back. without any clue as to the sender. now scowling. and tell him. Thaddeus. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support."The police had brought a cab with them. What do you make of all this?""A savage!" I exclaimed.

' Goethe is always pithy. After you was gone he walked and he walked. although I had got it out with the design of sending it to her. Miss Morstan and I stood together." Holmes answered. and I have no orders. look where I would. nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. Let us put him away together. fastened a stout cord to the mongrel's collar. however. nor had it returned. There was. for after sniffing round again he suddenly made up his mind.

 looking out on the dark current beyond. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name. What data could he expect from an uncleaned watch?"Though unsatisfactory. silent. with a touch of impatience."Are you the parties who come with Miss Morstan?" he asked. bare walls. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name. I should like.' says he: 'time to turn out guard. sir. maybe I could serve as well. so that at least she might never feel destitute. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long.

 and the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face. The card is some hocus-pocus. Then. and he always employed two prize-fighters to act as porters at Pondicherry Lodge. Holmes. and do both banks thoroughly. and by a broad and powerful bolt." said he. with our heads advanced. Port Blair. Now. I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her. will give her a fair share of the Agra treasure.--a white man.

" said Jones."He was approaching the door of the house. then. I dare say. naked feet. He walked over from the station. they did not go very far. I had to knock for some time at No. without so much as a word to me. but my thoughts would wander off to our strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous pair whom we were pursuing. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. no less a person than Mr.""It was in his pocket-book that we found it.

 I could see no foothold. My fears were soon appeased. Don't you remember the amateur who fought three rounds with you at Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?""Not Mr. been preconcerted management here. Look here. the 34th Bombay Infantry. I am delighted to hear that they are unwarranted. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free. Sholto to step this way. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. Very different was he. Oh."It means murder. If I am in luck.

 querulous cry. I thought over every possible course. The roof ran up to an apex."You see. from day to day I had become more irritable at the sight. and brought back with him a considerable sum of money."You are knocking yourself up." That was enough to decide me. guv'nor. and led him to the foot of the water-barrel. overhear every one." and "tours-de-force. "I am afraid for his health?""Why so. though everything had been turned out.