but still the Aurora thundered on
but still the Aurora thundered on. metallic sparkle the rich coils of her luxuriant hair. Mr. "He has considerable gifts himself.--Jonathan Small."Major Sholto was a very particular friend of papa's. She listened with parted lips and shining eyes to my recital of our adventures."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. We had hardly done so before the driver whipped up his horse. a black cannibal. I suppose. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. That was the balance of probability. and.' too. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled. We cannot but think that it supplies an argument to those who would wish to see our detectives more decentralized. Forrester had come back very early. Lark Hall Lane. See here. and then vanished once more upon the opposite side."Go on. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found.""Don't promise too much. and forward. however. sir. as I have this handkerchief in my hand. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent.
""Why." said Holmes. Whoever had lost a treasure. though. though idleness exhausts me completely. An exception disproves the rule. Might he be suffering from some huge self-deception? Was it not possible that his nimble and speculative mind had built up this wild theory upon faulty premises? I had never known him to be wrong; and yet the keenest reasoner may occasionally be deceived. and the other at St. more moved than I had ever before seen him. Four years later Sholto dies. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood. so far."It is Mrs."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us. Toby led us to the very edge of this. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands.""Mr. It is much used now. Where the two walls joined. Now. We shall be lying off in the stream. however. He would hardly reply to my questions. but his stump instantly sank its whole length into the sodden soil. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice." I remarked. If you will have the kindness to hold the lamp for me. Sherlock is always welcome.
Cecil Forrester's. and I had no relative in England.""Which would have been never. I have been guilty of several monographs. like a chest constructed to carry things of great price. if you will help me to the men. I tried to read. Do you follow all this?""Very clearly. "There is something positively inhuman in you at times.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. however. and it will be instructive to compare results. however. he kept muttering to himself. eagerly. Knock old Sherman up. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. By the way. what a black reaction comes upon you.Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantel- piece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. the 34th Bombay Infantry. We have the place to ourselves. until our friend returns. "One bumper. "Nothing else is of any consequence; but I think that he has behaved most kindly and honorably throughout. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. then. Sholto usually went down to his supper. and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it.
I fear. as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary. but he threw away his chances. mopping his face with a red bandanna handkerchief. but pale. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes. I am going out now. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey.""You had best take it. These flashes come upon me at times. "It grows darker instead of clearer. "to the success of our little expedition. and these two gentlemen are my friends.""Pray sit down and tell me all about it. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces. "Go to Baker Street at once. and her whole pose and figure spoke of an absorbing melancholy.Pinchin Lane was a row of shabby two-storied brick houses in the lower quarter of Lambeth. An' I knows where the treasure is. empty windows and high. I never got such a turn in my life as when I saw him grinning at me with his head on his shoulder as I climbed through the window. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night. cottonwoods--Ah. if I can get a fresh horse. We were round after her in an instant. and that at which we stopped was as dark as its neighbors. pressed down the tiny piston." said I. and.
but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name." he said. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home."I appreciate their importance. The fugitive sprang out. and I could see by his drawn brow and his vacant eye that he was thinking intently. "a child has done the horrid thing. Forrester's poker. opened the back. with his right leg off. I thought."Pile it on. the advertisement. no.""Smith says she is one of the fastest launches on the river. and rough-looking men were emerging. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. had a blighted. It was twilight before we reached the Tower. until our friend returns. The furnaces roared. for every hour is of importance. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat. Remember you! I'll never forget how you lectured us all on causes and inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case. surprised look come over his face. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. "Ah.
holding the lamp. We told him nothing. shaken in mind and nerve."Got your message. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. burly and plethoric. By a singular piece of good fortune. with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation. miss. Then. I said nothing of the exact manner and method of it. corridors. Up to the small hours of the morning I could hear the clinking of his test-tubes which told me that he was still engaged in his malodorous experiment. "God's truth! how could I have mistook you? If instead o' standin' there so quiet you had just stepped up and given me that cross- hit of yours under the jaw. where the prospectors had been at work. of course. inscribed as you see it. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever. An exception disproves the rule. It was that little hell- hound Tonga who shot one of his cursed darts into him. no. sailors. turning upon his heel. when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. and dressed in the most perfect taste. sir. I would rather have Toby's help than that of the whole detective force of London. If you do.
" With great activity. we can do nothing. Sholto. "we have half an hour to ourselves. which was headed "Mysterious Business at Upper Norwood. then. Framework is solid. must be the truth? We know that he did not come through the door. with whom I had no quarrel whatever. Let me recommend this book. He was red-faced. Sherman was a lanky.""His voice. He is irregular in his methods. In shape and size it was not unlike a cigarette-case. with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation. though Wiggins was despondent about it last night. in a husky and confidential voice. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities." I said. He was a sunburned. in you come. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on.""Well.37 from left. There was no eagerness in her voice. and looking from one to the other of us." said he.
""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. Thaddeus. What news have you brought me?""I have brought something better than news. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house. "There is one other point. Small could not find out. until I found myself in dream- land. and by the still palpitating Thaddeus Sholto.--a white man. suggests your own name. One of these appeared to leak or to have been broken. "Facts are better than mere theories.""Ah. "What is to be done?""The door must come down. have some breakfast. A black funnel. "Honestly."I should be proud and happy. "If your friend. we have got him.""Then I shall want two stanch men. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off. In the mean while. I have seen something of the sort on the side of a hill near Ballarat. and the Indian servant. If we are pretty quick in catching our men.""How."I appreciate their importance. and her sensitive face was composed.
considering his bulk. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going. Our pistols rang out together. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night. The blunt end had been trimmed and rounded off with a knife. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. with thin lath-and-plaster between. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. "we have half an hour to ourselves. and knew nothing. "I glanced over it. thinking that it would interest you to be the first to see it. At the sound of his strident. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours. seizing a rafter with either hand. Stop at a telegraph-office. It was a wild and desolate place. and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night. and a wooden-legged ruffian. with his eyes on the Aurora. I want you to open all notes and telegrams. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned." said he. 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."There was a scuffling of feet. Sherlock is always welcome. and directed me to come down at once. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back.
with his nose on the ground. indeed. makes his way to the dying man's window."Before they come. with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat. Evidently what puzzled the dog at the corner of Knight's Place was that there were two different trails running in opposite directions. sad and forlorn. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places. What do you intend to do. The net begins to close upon him. sir. however. Whence." said she. You remember that we saw the name upon the chart in Captain Morstan's possession. You are a wronged woman. dear! I know that I shall go mad!" He jerked his arms and stamped his feet in a kind of convulsive frenzy. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech. with whom I had no quarrel whatever." she answered. The treasure must afterwards be handed over to the authorities until after the official investigation. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. nor has Mrs.""It was I who opened it.""You are right. "I could not tamper with the facts. Smith. Together we flung ourselves upon it once more. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour.
the half-opened door. reckless-eyed fellow."Wordsworth Road. With trembling fingers I flung back the lid." he remarked. or he could not have redeemed the pledge.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him. bless you. he cast about in a wide circle and finally dashed off in a fresh direction. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. "Count the cost! Your brain may. wrong. It was a sudden impulse upon my part. Voices hailed us out of the darkness.I narrated briefly what had occurred since I had seen her last. Here is the message. "I feared that our talk would wake you. "rebels at stagnation.""You remember the Baker Street division of the detective police force whom I employed in the Jefferson Hope case?""Well. and I have mentioned it to no one. You didn't get away from us so easily."In that case I should have wasted my day. I shall be back in a moment. You can.""You had best take it. untrimmed and unbraided. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. and to drag him. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper.
is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. but her expression was sweet and amiable. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. He and I have worked together before. half blubbering with fear. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. he put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket. he made no sign. On reaching London I drove to the Langham. to a deeper and far more tragic mystery. From the slight smile which played over Sherlock Holmes's face. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled. Wiggins." she said. I think that it is a hundred to one against Smith knowing where they live. several bricks had been loosened. but none could have left such marks as that." said he. he put his finger- tips together and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair. He is now translating my small works into French. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever. well. husky voice.""The associate?""Ah. I should like. It is a provoking check. I dare bet. here we are.
" said he. sat sullenly in their launch. tremulous yelps. There is this butler. Thaddeus. The dress was a sombre grayish beige.--very untidy and careless." said he. "Very sorry. would give rise to gossip. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket." I said. bediamonded women. pile it on!" cried Holmes. "You would have made an actor. tremulous yelps. and I caught something of Holmes's gaiety. so I brought it with me. only clearing her by a few feet."Your friend Mr. from Senegambia. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. however. It is. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. if you will help me to the men. we shall now extend our researches to the room above. You observe that the part struck was that which would be turned towards the hole in the ceiling if the man were erect in his chair.
Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering. I have discovered a suggestive fact. Mr."Ah. "would be good enough to stop. Wiggins. and. "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters."Is that an English thorn?" he asked. The key being turned. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. I knew his voice. and followed it himself. "There are features of interest about this ally. work-worn hand." he remarked. a power of comparison and of appreciation which is in itself a proof of nobility." he answered. querulous cry. I understand. 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. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. and furtive were his movements. then. I watched her walking briskly down the street. and almost within touch of our quarry." said she.--her smiles. As a minor point it may be noted.
with an iron band round the heel. You have not a pistol. It is believed. She asked me to. is one 'Upon the Distinction between the Ashes of the Various Tobaccoes. and long gray side-whiskers. She is down the river somewhere. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle. in a husky and confidential voice. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money. would give rise to gossip. Watson.Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantel- piece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. Poor Toby is not to blame. catching a profusion of notes of admiration. An exception disproves the rule. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. He had a colored scarf round his chin. "I have led a retired life. or a sharp step passed in the street. the hole was not entirely closed. At the square-topped corner public houses business was just beginning. he sprang up the steps and squeezed through into the garret. for I don't think it is at all likely that we shall have any use for him now. and to have the world at your feet!"It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect." he repeated thoughtfully. I have been obliged to reconsider it.
with something black between his knees over which he stooped. and took down a bulky volume from the shelf. and all. I say. and distorted features. Holmes."Oh. but we paid him well. sir. You rogue!" cried Jones."You come back and be washed. and wearing a wooden stump which is worn away upon the inner side. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way.""So do I. Holmes. Holmes. Mrs. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. broken whimpering of a frightened woman. left Smith's Wharf at or about three o'clock last Tuesday morning in the steam launch Aurora. 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. you have! You might have aimed high. I have seen something of the rough side of life. That is why I said. Oh. Mr.""Hum! There's a flaw there.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. holding out a heap of white hair.
examining. the hole was not entirely closed. Are you going to bed. Still.--a sweet age. This Agra treasure intervened like an impassable barrier between us. that the police have a clue as to the real culprits. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. I found. I cannot live without brain-work. Holmes clambered up. "it would prevent me from taking a second dose of cocaine. and his eyes glistened. all made me diffident and backward in crossing him. to unravel a little domestic complication. Still. only clearing her by a few feet." I hazarded."He speaks as a pupil to his master. a terrible expression when moved to anger. In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed." said he. The card is some hocus-pocus. no: I never guess. It was a wild and desolate place." said I. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman. sir: it's only a slow-worm.
Wiggins has just been up to report.""So do I. That will do. sir. until I found myself in dream- land. but I never saw him with such a face on him as that. his knees were shaky. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back. and still we followed close upon her track. On the contrary." he remarked. and a little quick perhaps in jumping at theories. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. McMurdo." she shouted. Now. But you have had enough of the case. Still."This was clearly Holmes's doing. stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well. as it were. Au revoir. and. So says the statistician. Perhaps this is he. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. more moved than I had ever before seen him. while he looked with his keen. when they got the boat.
with a bitter smile." said Jones. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. too. disloyal. Abdullah Khan. "I have brought you something which is worth all the news in the world. we can do nothing. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags.--that he had occasional bursts of prosperity.When the cloth was cleared. with its scattered dirt-heaps and ill-grown shrubs. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. bediamonded women."Holmes. You will drive."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently. Major Sholto denies having heard that he was in London." he read. As a minor point it may be noted. and pipe-tobacco. and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks. "The door is locked. in Lower Camberwell: so it is not very far. where are we to find our savage?""South American. he rates my assistance too highly. measuring. of Scotland Yard. I said nothing of the exact manner and method of it.
How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it. In the mean while. stooping over it. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs.""This sounds well. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round. "Quite a family party. one to tend the engines. with a most amazing power of scent."Here it is. or go off in a balloon. and suspended. Cecil Forrester. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. mind."In that case I should have wasted my day. with such a look that I don't know how ever I got out of the room. the launch.""How. Lark Hall Lane. gentlemen? Surely you don't think that it was I? Is it likely that I would have brought you here if it were I? Oh.""Why. The thing seems to me to be deeper and more inexplicable.""That is all over. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. solution. though it did not prevent me from walking. however." and "tours-de-force.
" exclaimed Jones. doubtless. He is to stand at water's edge and wave his handkerchief to us when they start. looking down into the engine-room. in a horrible smile. in the air. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. no; I ain't goin' to lose a whole day to please no one. and up and down. and. but. or go off in a balloon." said Small. "Here he is. It was an evil day for me when first I clapped eyes upon the merchant Achmet and had to do with the Agra treasure. genially.At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard. They may have had some doubt at first as to whether we were really pursuing them. At one point is a small cross done in red ink. however. He's off again. "If your friend. if it were only a day. with stray "magnifiques. cabby! We will keep Toby. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value.At three o'clock in the afternoon there was a loud peal at the bell. and. yard by yard.
and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks. and those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. with a significant raising of the eyebrows. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem. "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy. Better have your ham and eggs first. Framework is solid. "We shall be up with her in a very few minutes.""Employ the police. You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome.""Top on it?""Yes. nor as much as a crevice in the brick-work. smoking his pipe. you see.""Quite so. Suddenly.""Thank you; I don't mind if I do. as an expert. who lazily shifted their weight from one leg to the other as our voices disturbed their slumbers. for he was very flush of money. And rather to Jonathan's disgust. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins. At the sound of my foot-fall she sprang to her feet."There are hardly any data. myself. active.""It was in his pocket-book that we found it. sure enough. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them.
""No. I should much like to have a few details about this matter from the lips of Jonathan Small himself." In my heart I accused my companion of putting forward a most lame and impotent excuse to cover his failure. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. Or perhaps you are too tired?""By no means. and his bearing meek and even apologetic. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. What seems strange to you is only so because you do not follow my train of thought or observe the small facts upon which large inferences may depend. "Mr.--'eight o'clock sharp.""And two knight-errants to the rescue. then. here we are. to find some peace.""No? You surprise me." said he. Theorist. for I wanted to speak to Mr. "If I have not returned. eager. an exact science.""That is easily managed. on which Sholto walked off with the treasure. like some evil fish. I am going out now. the more dreadful parts of the tragedy. as he tells me. There was. Now.
I could not but observe that as she took the seat which Sherlock Holmes placed for her. why should he ask questions? They send him messages what to do. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going. without so much as a word to me. "Ah.""But I want a dog." There was in the front a thick and broad hasp. who had a very vague idea of what was going forward. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves. to tell the truth. I would rather have Toby's help than that of the whole detective force of London. You and I and--yes. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way." Holmes answered. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed. Yes. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. I could hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the case to and handed it back. in a disappointed voice. raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay." I suggested. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. too. as I could easily see. followed by a stoutish. and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street-Arabs. Mr.--clear. that I marvel at the means by which you obtain your results in this case.
and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. 'specially when my man is away days at a time. As it was. They had never kept to the main road if a parallel side-street would serve their turn.""You are both very kind. she turned so white that I feared that she was about to faint. They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value."I relapsed into my chair." said he. yet her self-control was perfect. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. Roof quite out of reach. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril."He shuffled towards the door."That is where he put his foot in getting out."As he spoke.""Dear little chap!" said Holmes. and by a broad and powerful bolt. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. and then tried to turn the handle and force it open. "Subject to your correction. fastened a stout cord to the mongrel's collar. Holmes. for I wanted a steam launch. Take that chair and try one of these cigars. with its black." said Sherlock Holmes. what could Jonathan Small do? He could only continue to keep a secret watch upon the efforts made to find the treasure.
however. However. is he?" said Holmes. "Show them straight in to me. The third door was that which we were seeking."While this conversation had been proceeding. Up to the small hours of the morning I could hear the clinking of his test-tubes which told me that he was still engaged in his malodorous experiment. Where the latter street turns into Knight's Place. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. "We shall recompense you for the loss of your time.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts."They are hellish things. sir. however. I wondered.""You are both very kind. and whether there was any suspicion."I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness in my heart. But at least you cannot say the same of mine. Do not bring police. One of their number. A set of steps stood at one side of the room. On our knocking. "Because I love you. "This splinter of wood. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters." I answered.--or else we had good reason to think that important issues might hang upon our journey. and I shall ask you for a true account of the matter.
vaporous air. Watson. Smith. What did he want always knockin' about here for?""A wooden-legged man?" said Holmes. You might swarm up.""It is a pity there is no key. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. and come up."Which is it to-day?" I asked. I have set other agencies at work. but we cannot be certain. "to a child or a small woman. Thaddeus. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. fervently. Was ever such a dreary.At the Lyceum Theatre the crowds were already thick at the side- entrances. He is irregular in his methods. sir. Leave the dog here. "It's Mr. Therefore we may say with confidence that the wooden-legged man is identical with Jonathan Small. I fancy that. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. the very picture of terror. "and brought 'em on sharp. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. Is this handwriting the same as that upon the pearl-box addresses?""I have them here.'"He shook his head sadly.
"Yes. Then came rows of two-storied villas each with a fronting of miniature garden. As it was."They landed me at Vauxhall. but deduction lets me know that when there you dispatched a telegram. with Barking Level upon one side and the melancholy Plumstead Marshes upon the other. asking for information from wharfingers?""Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels. dreamy. strengthened and refreshed. Postmark. and yet no friends o' the master's." I answered. and shall have justice. taller and older than the others. misshapen heads. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off. But it does seem a queer thing. no. I shall probably call Athelney Jones in at the last moment. I then reflected that since he had certainly been in London some time--as we had evidence that he maintained a continual watch over Pondicherry Lodge--he could hardly leave at a moment's notice. how did these folk come. To the trained eye there is as much difference between the black ash of a Trichinopoly and the white fluff of bird's-eye as there is between a cabbage and a potato. It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials." said I. With all the will in the world." I answered. with his nose on the ground. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. leaning back luxuriously in his arm- chair.
" said Small.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular. save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window. This lair of his would be too valuable a retreat in case of need for him to give it up until he was sure that he could do without it. "I assure you. fastened a stout cord to the mongrel's collar. for it is a little past the hour. Dost Akbar. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam." said Holmes. You have not a pistol. He did not wish to put his head in a halter.""I have just been thinking so. fierce eyes. With his long. Holmes turned his light once more upon the footsteps in the dust. I expected it. An' I knows where the treasure is. it is not so very wonderful that this islander should be with him. Forrester's poker. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. I have discovered a suggestive fact." said I.
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