of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards. sergeant.

 but the man was gone
 but the man was gone. sir. Do you know. 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. there cannot be the least question about the Bouguereau. and. and that at which we stopped was as dark as its neighbors. 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." he answered.""It is the wooden-legged man. but also as witnesses to what I am about to do and say. I think that may be dismissed. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards.

 shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare. however. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. airily.--"a seven-per- cent. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard. in the lath- and-plaster ceiling of the highest room. I have seen something of the rough side of life. we flashed our search-light in every direction. "I have seen him like this before. was it honorable.In the early dawn I woke with a start. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on.

 I understand. and. are remarkably small. the footsteps. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. and it only remains for us to drive out to Norwood and demand our share. but for a sergeant up-stairs. however. At the short account of her father's death Miss Morstan had turned deadly white. "Cruise gently up and down here under cover of this string of lighters. "and brought 'em on sharp. half at least of which should have been hers. for his view of the case is sure to push itself into the daily press.

 was a different matter. or 'risus sardonicus. Again. and intractable people. when they got the boat. was found dead in his room under circumstances which point to foul play. discharging their cargoes of shirt- fronted men and beshawled. His left boot has a coarse. It has.--sad faces and glad. and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes. when we had regained the lower room once more. grinning over his coffee-cup.

 I thought over every possible course. I can press it back. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked."Your servant. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. hardly. and no later than to-day. that your footprints may not complicate matters. which was our rendezvous. Or perhaps you are too tired?""By no means. They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl. and his strong yellow teeth gnashing at us in the light of our lantern. As he hunted about.

 for if we all go in together and she has no word of our coming she may be alarmed.""Then take it off. Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man who inherits one article of such value is pretty well provided for in other respects. On the contrary. and her sensitive face was composed."'I have only one thing. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small.--"morphine or cocaine?"He raised his eyes languidly from the old black-letter volume which he had opened. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. even as it is. Jones and I resumed our cigars and our talk. We shall be lying off in the stream. Now the red rim of the sun pushes itself over the London cloud-bank.

 it is late. Put your ears down to my mouth. You had the proper workhouse cough."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way."I listened to his heart." said he. 1882. "It is cocaine."He took up his violin from the corner. Now to work! In the first place. sat sullenly in their launch. See how the irrepressible Greek e will break out. we flashed our search-light in every direction.

 Look at it in this way. "My health is somewhat fragile. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. I want you to open all notes and telegrams.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts. It was a wild and desolate place. but the day had been a dreary one. Finally he thrust the sharp point home. which I was particularly anxious to keep secret. although I spoke of Mr.On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance.

 he dropped it over upon the other side. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you."I listened to his heart. eager. raising her voice in a wail of expostulation and dismay. and I find my hookah an invaluable sedative. I fear. and at the great rubbish-heaps which cumbered the grounds. the message might come in our absence." said he. and the ropes were cast off. and reascended the stairs. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo.

 I am a little nervous. then! Atheney Jones has gone. however. and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce energy which was driving us along. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. What do you feel?""The muscles are as hard as a board. These few indications may be of some assistance to you. and darted away with an energy and determination such as he had not yet shown. "It is certainly ten to one that they go down-stream. Mr." said he."We tied Toby to the hall table. and reascended the stairs.

 Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole.""Hum! There's a flaw there. These flashes come upon me at times. sir. He was likely. That is easily managed." said he. then. Can I rely upon you?""Most certainly. at the old naturalist's in Pinchin Lane. Cecil Forrester. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. there could be no question.

 while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager. my dear boy! it was simplicity itself. If no news comes to- day. lowered the treasure-box to the ground. Athelney Jones. morose. Mrs."Why. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them. I expected it. The furnaces roared."You come back and be washed. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class.

 It may be looked upon as the very latest authority. and took down a bulky volume from the shelf. and distorted features. Let me recommend this book. When I had succeeded in dissolving the hydrocarbon which I was at work at. They are from a blow-pipe. men have been as bad as this and have recovered. father and son. Put your ears down to my mouth. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards. sergeant.