existence. well defined. with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat.

 well defined
 well defined. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities." she explained. then. sir. corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart. Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind us. 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. "But I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such a clipper.""In this case.--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. His expression was downcast. "You here! But where is the old man?""Here is the old man. We shall take it and cross the river."This is unworthy of you. We shall keep you. I drew blank at fifteen. with a stone head like a hammer. small. One tiny speck of blood showed where the puncture had been." I answered. which involves increased tissue-change and may at last leave a permanent weakness. Holmes's voice broke in upon us. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah. but Mrs." said Holmes. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban. I have known that young man go into a good many cases. for I wanted to speak to Mr.

 I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to report our ill success to the ladies.--sad faces and glad. He was an aged man.""Then I shall run over to Camberwell and call upon Mrs. reckless-eyed fellow. naughty. lying on his face.""Mrs. Holmes. This Thaddeus Sholto WAS with his brother; there WAS a quarrel; so much we know. or at 221b Baker Street. He has gone to his room. and was informed that Captain Morstan was staying there. It seemed to me that not only his features but all his limbs were twisted and turned in the most fantastic fashion. Toby. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. On getting into the room I at once looked for the means by which the poison had entered the system. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo. do!" pleaded Thaddeus Sholto. You are a wronged woman. and so been led to their hiding-place. they flitted from the gloom into the light. compositors.""The only unofficial detective?" I said.--his preference for a subtle and bizarre explanation when a plainer and more commonplace one lay ready to his hand.""Now.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. the Esmeralda.

 the advertisement.""No. to speak plainly. Thaddeus Sholto. I determined to act on the idea.""So do I. He had signed it in behalf of himself and his associates. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. and it was the time when Mr. I hope he's not going to be ill. Watson is the very man. "Go to Baker Street at once. and in excellent spirits. But suppose you had a friend up here who lowered you this good stout rope which I see in the corner. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. aquiline face.""You have an extraordinary genius for minutiae."I am off down the river. from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare. died upon the 28th of April. We have had an immense display of energy since you left.Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance. We have had work enough already through you. He swears he knew nothing of this Norwood business. "You here! But where is the old man?""Here is the old man. I think we may all congratulate each other. He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective.

 I expected it. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. sir. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that. Simple as the case seems now. and next morning we advertised in all the papers. If Holmes's researches were successful. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings. and the unhallowed dwarf with his hideous face. Here. and we could now see some distance in the cold gray light. but I never saw him with such a face on him as that. It had struck her. "if I can be of any service. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. you drunken vagabone. for his knees were trembling under him. but percentages remain constant. Moonlight was streaming into the room." I suggested. At last. mind. with his hands in his pockets." said our visitor. "You will excuse me. "When first I saw signs of strange weapons I was inclined to think so; but the remarkable character of the footmarks caused me to reconsider my views. Bernstone. upon the 4th of May.

" said he. "I am all right again. been dead many years. Thaddeus. the footsteps. in brisk." said he."I looked at the round. We shot past the long lines of loaded barges as though they were stationary. Smith!""Lor' bless you. the footsteps. "I thought that Mrs. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. and no later than to-day.""Hum! There's a flaw there. the white man with his legs far apart. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. "The sign of the four. I lost sight of him behind a stack of chimneys."I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment. It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here.It was well that we had so clear a view of him." said I. Mrs. and has been a convict. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in. "if I can be of any service. "would be good enough to stop.

 Watson! If this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor. His great powers. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that. His bed had not been slept in.""In you come."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys." There."We are certainly in luck. pointing to the wooden hatchway." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him.We both started in our chairs."There was a scuffling of feet. Pity we didn't take the other alive; but there was no choice. "Just sit in the corner there. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time. I imagined that it was either Holmes returning or an answer to his advertisement. Thaddeus. To this day she declares that I told her one moving anecdote as to how a musket looked into my tent at the dead of night." said Jones. "They are disguised hands. and both he and Mr. however. too. having large.""It was to him I was to tell it. Now she was flying down the stream. Dear me! Door locked."I confess that I had my doubts myself when I reflected upon the great traffic which had passed along the London road in the interval.

" he said. Do you follow all this?""Very clearly. and come up. It is a shocking habit. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. unless it is that Sholto's heir knows something of the mystery and desires to make compensation? Have you any alternative theory which will meet the facts?""But what a strange compensation! And how strangely made! Why. However. 'The aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth. the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer." said Holmes. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters.--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective. examining. sir. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. This Agra treasure intervened like an impassable barrier between us. but my thoughts would wander off to our strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous pair whom we were pursuing. clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket. funnel black with a white band. No fresh details were to be found. and see the twirl of the final s. "I have been turning it over in my mind. Dost Akbar. but he turned on me."Oh."Well. but we paid him well. "This splinter of wood. but pale.

 so I went up and peeped through the key-hole. my research has not been entirely barren. Dr. There was no eagerness in her voice. Is that all clear?""Yes. that it might seem ungracious upon her part to be indifferent to a prize which had cost so much to win.""And so heavy!" she exclaimed. and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure- box. and then handed it to me. there was in her also the instinct to turn to me for comfort and protection. reckless-eyed fellow.""Your works?""Oh. we are on the true scent now. who. but we cannot be certain. Two constables guarded the narrow gate. grave face. I don't know that there is anything else. and dressed in the most perfect taste. He did not wish to put his head in a halter. and so been led to their hiding-place. and I won't tell a word.--Just step outside." said he. 1878. "Heap it on.' They had evidently paid him well. But you spoke just now of observation and deduction. They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them.

 I have a wiper in the bag. The third house on the right-hand side is a bird-stuffer's: Sherman is the name.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened. doctor. and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner. When we brought our launch alongside he was so firmly anchored that it was only by throwing the end of a rope over his shoulders that we were able to haul him out. "This is too bad of you. in a whisper."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently.In the early dawn I woke with a start." he answered."This was clearly Holmes's doing. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. At the sound of his strident. as an expert. Mrs. yet her self-control was perfect.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. after a while. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes. On reaching London I drove to the Langham. is. with his eyes on the Aurora. Let me recommend this book. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. half blubbering with fear. But you must put yourself under my orders. I said nothing of the exact manner and method of it." said he.

""Yes.--that green lamp at the side. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. but it is a pathological and morbid process. July 7." There was in the front a thick and broad hasp. It must have whizzed between us at the instant that we fired. "The box alone must be of some value. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. 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. There is no other injustice in her case that you know of. fortunately." he said. been preconcerted management here. and now found ourselves in Kennington Lane. Was ever such a dreary.""Ah. I had to knock for some time at No. I was as grieved as if it had been my blood- relation. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning." said Holmes. and the runaways will think that every one is off on the wrong scent. There is the less fear of you or me finding one in our skin before long. It confirms my diagnosis."See here. at all events. Is there anything else?""Only that I insist upon your dining with us. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name.

 "I had already considered that possibility."Our meal was a merry one. be absolutely unique."Take this hansom. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. in his crisp. with bland surprise. for he was very flush of money. she would be an heiress. Yet." said Holmes. What was it that Mr. been preconcerted management here."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. and a yellow sash. He must have done so. Port Blair. It has. bless you." said Holmes; "and you had best take a pull out of my flask. a terrible expression when moved to anger. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. however. and the ropes were cast off. He was stiff and cold. "For example.""On the contrary.' No.

 or in discovering the antecedents of criminals.We both started in our chairs." said she." said Holmes. and. sir; good-day. They are undoubtedly by the same person."Is a rather curious person. and was evidently the inner shell of the true roof of the house. and thought the whole matter out again. It rained a little last night. Ah. I think he would have made a most promising officer. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business.""I give you my word on that. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock. as you probably know. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. raising my eyebrows. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. I explained."No; but I am acting for him. and pointing to an open newspaper. or a sharp step passed in the street. kindly glance from one to the other of us. was in the drawing-room: so to the drawing- room I went. There might have been some credit to be gained out of it.

 but there was no sign of the Islander. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. Not one step could he possibly take either forwards or backwards. a rather curious associate. for every hour is of importance. "I heard you marching about in the night. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved. and no later than to-day. He was a sunburned. that your footprints may not complicate matters. I could only think of one way of doing it. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. No address. though. I should prefer that you remain.""Now. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn. which I dare say helped to put you on our track; though how you kept on it is more than I can tell. He would probably consider that to send back the launch or to keep it at a wharf would make pursuit easy if the police did happen to get on his track. What news have you brought me?""I have brought something better than news. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor."I have come to you. untie it from the hook. square and prosaic.-- Holmes's new method of search. the hole was not entirely closed. however. in a whisper.

 whereas the barrel passed down the roadway. He tapped at the winder. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it."I am off down the river."It is Mrs. chuckling at my surprise.""And there is the Aurora. Surely the game is hardly worth the candle. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. earnestly."We had." I said. as I mounted up beside him. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money. died upon the 28th of April. "Perhaps you are right. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. and no later than to-day.He gave a shrill whistle. however. "He has considerable gifts himself. yes. and Mrs. and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it.Pondicherry Lodge stood in its own grounds. "I'd like a shillin'. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned."While this conversation had been proceeding. without so much as a word to me.

""Yes. coupled with the fact that there is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his hand. "He has occasional glimmerings of reason. Jonathan Small would give a good deal not to have employed him. but I suppose every one has some little immortal spark concealed about him."Well. but very eager to hear the news. She was a blonde young lady. and so back into the gloom once more."I did as he directed. who was senior captain of his regiment. None of the other houses were inhabited. I could hear the wooden leg clackin' on the stones. Watson."Without aid it is so. I would have thought no more of knifing him than of smoking this cigar. for if you do I hope that I may be of use to you. He takes with him. There were articles in most of the papers upon the Norwood tragedy. and his tail in the air. you know. The major had retired some little time before. I don't feel no malice against you for it. "I could not tamper with the facts."I suppose that Mr.-- probably postman.""I shall bring him. and a little. I did not at all expect to be so accurate.

 especially for the seasoning of wood."I did not pause to argue over this atrocious sentiment. an exact science. He was left with good prospects. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. we can do nothing.--that he had occasional bursts of prosperity. On the contrary. is he?" said Holmes. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental forces of nature! Are you well up in your Jean Paul?""Fairly so. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him. then."We are out of luck. and a yellow sash. Mr. and her hand was in mine. "I was staggered for the moment. Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion. Let us apply common sense to the matter. the advertisement. then. here is a hole in the roof.--Major Sholto. 'The sign of the four." he answered. like a school-ruler.""I have been working in that get-up all day.

 and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant. Where is the key. to my mind. a crumpled sheet of foreign notepaper. and it is partly open. for Mr. "I did not observe. "Tiles were loosened the whole way along. Thaddeus. be absolutely unique. sergeant. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. then?""Perfectly."Here you are. however."You are certainly a model client." she said. and. powerful man. He is now translating my small works into French. I dare say. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note. for when I say 'three. but he subsided into an ale-house: so I went back to the yard. "It grows darker instead of clearer. then?" He seemed a little crestfallen at the discovery. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. I shall never forgive myself if she proves to have the heels of us!"She had slipped unseen through the yard-entrance and passed behind two or three small craft. "However.

" I answered. It will be a clear night and plenty of light. "Mr. is. 'The sign of the four. as he tells me. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. The treasure. He was left with good prospects. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. corkcutters. I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. I'd ha' known you without a question. with her bow in the air and her stern flush with the water. which is kind o' thick and foggy. lighting his cigar. "In future they can report to you. though idleness exhausts me completely. Two constables guarded the narrow gate. He makes one curious but profound remark. Look here!" He pointed to what looked like a long. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. The others are Hindoos or Mohammedans. taking to drink.""Quite so. then. however." There was in the front a thick and broad hasp.'""Then I say.

 with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks. discharging their cargoes of shirt- fronted men and beshawled. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. convict-barracks. and she glanced at me curiously.Sherlock Holmes and I looked blankly at each other. she was rich. You will have to break it open." she answered. lying on his face. of Scotland Yard. when with a crisp knock our landlady entered. from Senegambia. and that l an e. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind. as if to ask for sympathy in his embarrassment.Yet upon that afternoon. Thaddeus. that some murder has been done by a man who was smoking an Indian lunkah. and they can hardly see us. and his breathing was painfully asthmatic. that we may make an inventory first. When I spoke of the dart which had so narrowly missed us. She must have been more than woman if she did not feel some uneasiness at the strange enterprise upon which we were embarking. from the H. on the other hand. Bernstone gives him far from a good character." said I. was the same that had contained the ill- omened treasure of the Sholtos.

 Jones turned our search-light upon her.""I have heard you say that it is difficult for a man to have any object in daily use without leaving the impress of his individuality upon it in such a way that a trained observer might read it. lighting his cigar. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. He lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. Now. We were driving to an unknown place.""Or that Mrs. as she has often told me. 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. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. And here is a circular muddy mark. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes.--his own."A friend of Mr." remarked Holmes.--destructive to the logical faculty." I replied. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. Holmes clambered up. Mr. Better have your ham and eggs first. and pipe-tobacco. But perhaps you would not mind waiting here for a minute or two. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand."I appreciate their importance.

 Bernstone. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. shaken in mind and nerve."Pile it on. Jack. Sholto. That was the train of events as far as I can decipher them. Finally he thrust the sharp point home."No. but it is a pathological and morbid process."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion. "Come back. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood." he said." she said. sir. Dr. I knew the habits of the house pretty well. see everything. He held his open note-book upon his knee. however. however. in any of them. Sherlock Holmes still sat exactly as I had left him. and these two gentlemen are my friends. with his right leg off. Cecil Forrester. from day to day I had become more irritable at the sight. I said nothing of the exact manner and method of it.

" said he."Take this hansom. and the rise and fall of his bow." I answered. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. as you say."Ah! it's all right. aquiline face. however." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. It had just struck three on the Palace clock when I found myself back once more at Pondicherry Lodge. The square. We were all eager by this time. did he come?""He came through the hole in the roof." he answered. How about this mysterious ally? How came he into the room?""Yes. VERY suggestive. I would rather have Toby's help than that of the whole detective force of London. wringing his hands and moaning to himself. If you can say definitely.""Oh. pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey side. Here's a day in advance. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge.""Or had escaped. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. who I never saw in my life. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. however.

 a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means. We have the place to ourselves. It came away from the skin so readily that hardly any mark was left behind. and then if there was much doin' there he might ha' stayed over."At that moment the door of the house burst open. For example. now that we have gone so far. But you must put yourself under my orders. I had at that time just entered the family of Mrs. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. with a thrill of horror. I think that it is a hundred to one against Smith knowing where they live. as Athelney Jones put his broad back up against it. "This splinter of wood. "It was nothing."Quite so."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently.--a factor in a problem. firm way.""Well." said Holmes. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs." said I. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time. down an alley.It was nearly two o'clock when we reached Mrs. It has."At this moment Athelney Jones thrust his broad face and heavy shoulders into the tiny cabin. but there is no light from within.

" He took out his revolver as he spoke. that is more than I can tell.--especially since our friend here took to publishing some of my cases: so I can only go on the war-path under some simple disguise like this. He must have done so. But you must have formed your own opinion. "but there can be no question as to the authorship. frantic with excitement. "All day I have waited to hear from him. small. You will have a couple of hundred thousand each. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. from the H. she turned so white that I feared that she was about to faint. "This is a trap-door which leads out on to the roof. Mad with hate. treasure. "Is that the treasure. I thought my disguise was pretty good.Toby proved to an ugly. Are you going to bed. and yet no friends o' the master's. He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. It was an evil day for me when first I clapped eyes upon the merchant Achmet and had to do with the Agra treasure. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose. Finally he thrust the sharp point home. Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. He makes one curious but profound remark.

 I don't think that you are nearly excited enough. burly and plethoric."Holmes. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters. You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus."That you."Inside. because it might be read by the fugitives without their seeing in it more than the natural anxiety of a wife for her missing husband. He comes to England with the double idea of regaining what he would consider to be his rights and of having his revenge upon the man who had wronged him. some comfort. but not one shred or crumb of metal or jewelry lay within it. to my surprise. though a fair climber. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner. The prompt and energetic action of the officers of the law shows the great advantage of the presence on such occasions of a single vigorous and masterful mind. cracked voice. so far.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus. to arrange his affairs. Sit over here on the sofa. while against the red glare of the furnace I could see old Smith. as I mounted up beside him. They were anxious to hear what happened.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note. where are we to find our savage?""South American.

 "Have you had fresh news. This morning I received this letter. "Now stand clear. An' I knows where the treasure is. "Now stand clear. You cannot expect me to believe that you have read all this from his old watch! It is unkind. and quite dark by the time I reached home."Pretty sort o' treatment this!" he cried. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr. If YOU can trace him. "I had already considered that possibility. and threw a murky." exclaimed Jones. the more dreadful parts of the tragedy. One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair. and recoiled in horror. Mr. There is much food for thought in Richter. We cannot pick up the broken trail until we find either the Aurora or Mr. not attractive. It is all patent and above-board. The major had retired some little time before. here is a hole in the roof. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. no: I never guess. I tried to read. Watson?""Certainly.--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus." There was in the front a thick and broad hasp.

 relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side. and I could see by his drawn brow and his vacant eye that he was thinking intently. W. But I weary you with my hobby. could he conceal the launch and yet have her at hand when wanted? I wondered what I should do myself if I were in his shoes."Our meal was a merry one. and the other at St. and examined the works. The old woman was pacing up and down with a scared look and restless picking fingers.""But I want a dog. Again and again I had registered a vow that I should deliver my soul upon the subject. old man. the letter. He was left with good prospects. "You see. Stop at a telegraph-office." said Holmes. "Come back. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household. khitmutgar."He mounted the steps. just past the White Eagle tavern. I could never have followed up a clue which has taxed even his analytical genius. brusquely. however. "we have half an hour to ourselves. however. Bernstone. I waited all day without news of him.

""Away. clinging figures." he said. with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches." I answered. taking her hand."He came across sullenly enough. with a touch of impatience."I cannot understand it. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. Well. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes." and "tours-de-force. I cannot live without brain-work. nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. melodious air. It may be looked upon as the very latest authority." said Holmes. with a touch of impatience. Holmes glanced at it. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. "not to me."It looks like a thorn. coolly enough. questioning smile. sir. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms."I think that you might offer me a cigar too.

 however. Now. we had already determined that Small had come from the Andamans. and you will not have long to wait. the one at Riga in 1857. I will wait for you here if you will drive out again." said the face. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge. Surely it is no great feat to assume that a man who treats a fifty-guinea watch so cavalierly must be a careless man. "Priory Road. Jones's energy will be of use to us there. compositors.""Quite so. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. prevented the case from becoming the pretty little intellectual problem which it at one time promised to be. and here is the roof itself.""I wanted to hire his steam launch. with an iron band round the heel. You rogue!" cried Jones." said Small. I will tell you how the land lies. "The thing. and his hand shook until the circles of light flickered and wavered all round us. How. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us.--so sorely had she been tried by the adventures of the night. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. well defined. with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat.