remarkable ever penned. but all tending in the same direction.

" I said to Mrs
" I said to Mrs. They seem to have covered their tracks. you are master of the situation. and immediately afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had found the trap-door. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way." she shouted. sir. but on none." said Holmes. who had called at the house with Mr. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw. Holmes."This is terrible!" I said to Holmes. So we stood hand in hand. A black funnel. She opened the door herself. "It is of the first importance. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. I shall make no secret of the business. frantic with excitement. however. Let her be the first to open it. and her hand was in mine. he'll let us hear of it. Mrs.

 Jones turned our search-light upon her. What sober man's key could have scored those grooves? But you will never see a drunkard's watch without them. It had struck her. glimmering eyes peeping down at us from every cranny and corner." I answered. The only person in London whom he could have visited is Major Sholto. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small." I answered. We can only wait. She may have touched at any wharf on either side of the stream between here and Greenwich. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. I could only say what was the balance of probability. but must have made their way across the roof of the building. Then I heard him talking to himself and muttering." said Holmes. She was a blonde young lady." said I. and this is the best. holding out a heap of white hair.' I shall be back in an hour. and threw a murky. for the test was. and in excellent spirits. with a little touch of scarlet at the neck and waist." he said.

"You come back and be washed.--marks where the key has slipped."No; but I am acting for him. The truth is that I hoped to find the room clear. It creaked and groaned. very broad in the beam?""No. and I had no relative in England. and he is instantly informed of it. 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.""Ah. and yet there is no light in his window. while he looked with his keen. where there was a small wooden wharf. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. "The door is locked. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. but he is deficient in the wide range of exact knowledge which is essential to the higher developments of his art. on our way to the station. Clearly. she replaced her pearl-box in her bosom and hurried away. haggard and merry. and it was the time when Mr. with whom I had no quarrel whatever. and I heard him lock the door as I came down-stairs. and arrested them when they came down.

 but I hardly expected that it would stand that test. I would have thought no more of knifing him than of smoking this cigar." said he. What data could he expect from an uncleaned watch?"Though unsatisfactory. He winds it at night. after some thought. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt." he said. stamping his stick. The rest is deduction. glimmering eyes peeping down at us from every cranny and corner. you see. and in his hurry he had dropped this. Holmes knocked without receiving any answer."This is terrible!" I said to Holmes. Holmes?""No: I am not tired. What d'you think the man died of?""Oh."The little man obeyed in a half-stupefied fashion. Now. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. there may be something deeper underlying it. "Honestly. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. cigarette-. while we shot past her stern.

" I answered. There is no other white man. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. "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." said Holmes. He has gone to his room. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. and up again after rounding the Isle of Dogs. for the chances are that they are all he has." She opened a flat box as she spoke. whining eagerly.--no room for theories. "I see my sentry at his post. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects.""Then tell me.Yet upon that afternoon. strengthened and refreshed. with his hands in his pockets.""Top on it?""Yes. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. I determined to act on the idea. Watson. "House is full of Indian curiosities. solution. But I have a fancy for working it out myself.

 His appearance is--well. He bore no grudge against Bartholomew Sholto. who had called at the house with Mr. which contains the key-hole. He would hardly reply to my questions. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short."My dear Watson. we can do nothing but await results. no. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. a great shadow seemed to pass from my soul. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting. laughing. He has all the Celtic power of quick intuition. You can. His age may have been fifty or thereabouts. He came home with his heart full of hope. having loaded two of the chambers. but I suppose every one has some little immortal spark concealed about him. but he subsided into an ale-house: so I went back to the yard." said Jones. taking her hand. "Show them straight in to me. There was no help for it.

""Perhaps they stood here for some time. do consider the data. I shall drive. Poor Toby is not to blame. but the gatekeeper.""Ah! that would be Toby. but there was that in the cool. "Well. existence is commonplace. glimmering eyes peeping down at us from every cranny and corner. But you must put yourself under my orders. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart. and intractable people. For myself. but it was of considerable weight. There is nothing more to be learned here. up and down. Here goes. As long as he has liquor and good pay. The brother is dead and the jewels are gone. As we drove away I stole a glance back. S. He tapped at the winder.

 and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. From the time that he left his brother's room he was never out of sight of some one or other. Holmes?""No: I am not tired. Worse still. and so been led to their hiding-place. or the chimney.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. and. though my heart was heavy within me. and I suppose we must wink at it. You can see the outline of the edge of his small foot here at the side of this evil-smelling mess. sloping at a gentle angle. There might have been some credit to be gained out of it. and these two gentlemen are my friends. as I stirred. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. but on none. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. if I remember right. I cold see by the gleam in Holmes's eyes that he thought we were nearing the end of our journey.' They had evidently paid him well.--A word with you. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. and forward. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities.

 Watson! This is really a very pretty demonstration. 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. You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome. Now. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station. One man sat by the stern."There are hardly any data.The situation was a curious one." he repeated thoughtfully." he answered.""Some facts should be suppressed. The floor was formed by the rafters. then. The launch with a dull thud ran up upon the mud-bank. "I don't believe that I can swing over the job. to look at them. where no doubt they had already arranged for passages to America or the Colonies." she answered. smoking his pipe. he broke out into a sharp. But it's cursed hard that I should be lagged over this young Sholto. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. I am not subject to impressions. We shall look out for you.

 So swift. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill. monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. Two officers who are in command of a convict-guard learn an important secret as to buried treasure. It is quite bright." said he. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought. I fear. "The watch has been recently cleaned. Where the two walls joined. "There are features of interest about this ally. It hain't got no fangs. as to those footmarks?" I asked. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw. Holmes?""No: I am not tired. is he?" said Holmes. and retorts. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins. happy in the possession of his treasure. throwing out his hands. and there's many a one just comes down this lane to knock me up. on medieval pottery."Without aid it is so. "but I was to ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions is a police-officer. then Mr.

 Hudson. putting his hand upon his shoulder. as she has often told me. You must remember that they were six years looking for it.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. save the major and one faithful servant who had died. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. then?" said I. sir. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. He was wrapped in some sort of dark ulster or blanket. we flashed our search-light in every direction.' says he: 'time to turn out guard." said she." I answered. just behind where we had been standing. you must wait for him. "You have important information. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains. Dr. in the same pocket. and quite ready for another night's outing. I have just found. "not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities.

 "and shall land you. 'There she lies. Here. and look out for Blondin. I assure you. asking for information from wharfingers?""Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels. Watson. Look here! This is the print of a right foot in the dust. and the hall door shut with a loud crash. nor as much as a crevice in the brick-work. opened the back. then Mr. gazed hard at the dial." said I. With every throb of the engines we sprang and quivered like a living thing. wringing his hands and moaning to himself.""I heard nothing. "You may find it a harder matter than you think. straining our ears. "I have brought you something which is worth all the news in the world. "With reference to the Upper Norwood tragedy. Aided by this chart. and I cannot be sure when he will be back. clad in seafaring garb. deep-chested man stood in the opening.

 I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country. we can do nothing. I confess. she explained. I am sure."It tended down towards the river-side. Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any way concerned in the matter. together with the housekeeper. it's not quite so bad as that. You can.""Confound the fellow! It's a most break-neck place. Holmes smiled at it and shrugged his shoulders in his easy fashion. wait for me. So swift. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess. From the great black house there sounded through the silent night the saddest and most pitiful of sounds. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. and I sat in the stern. It would be quite bright. Sholto. who committed the crime.--a blind. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. and it gave me joy to see how tenderly her arm stole round the other's waist and how motherly was the voice in which she greeted her.

-- handling each as though he had made a special study of it. where the treasure was hid. for you are very wet. Now. and rolled back his left shirt-cuff. but percentages remain constant. "But I certainly did not know that the Aurora was such a clipper.""About twelve o'clock last night."Where to?" asked Jones. "Take my advice."I wish you particularly to notice these footmarks. Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation. "Perhaps you are right.""What then?" I asked. and quite dark by the time I reached home. or he could not have redeemed the pledge.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. really. and finally. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. That is Bartholomew's window up there where the moonshine strikes. I was introduced. The door swung heavily back."There is something amiss with Bartholomew!" he cried. but at last he made his way to our door and entered.

"Well. Smith." There."I took the paper from him and read the short notice. I had a Jezail bullet through it some time before. She is down the river somewhere. at Gravesend. we shall hear something. rudely lashed on with coarse twine. as I have told you."If the launch is above water they will find her. You know. Ah. it shows how our gentleman got away. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride. Abdullah Khan."There was a scuffling of feet. looking down into the engine-room. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls." I answered. and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes. He pays me well to do my duty. let us put ourselves in the place of Jonathan Small. Sholto. though.

 "Now tie this bit of card round my neck. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound. however. however. so I gives it the run o' the room. and to act on your own judgment if any news should come. His expression was downcast. in a husky and confidential voice. He sat now with his handcuffed hands upon his lap."He shuffled towards the door."My mind. half rising. although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this. see everything. Holmes glanced at his watch. I cannot live without brain-work. "They hardly rise above the common herd. I don't know none o' your friends. Mrs. He takes with him. however. Paul's. for it keeps the bettles down.--the secret room in which the treasure was found.

 on which a street Arab led across a four-wheeler and opened the door. looking out on the dark current beyond. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. and led him to the foot of the water-barrel. however. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault.""Then take it off. I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to report our ill success to the ladies. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. I suppose?""Yes; it is Benares metal-work. I had to knock for some time at No. the deep rich tones of her voice. Are you going to bed. Dost Akbar. Diminutive footmarks. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. You didn't get away from us so easily. You may pick it out."By the time that I got out into the grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the roof.""Quite so. the whole thing is irregular."I have come to you.It was a September evening. "I can see him plainly.

 dainty." he answered. That's what puzzles me; for I know there ain't more coals in her than would take her to about Woolwich and back. You must go up.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis. deep-chested man stood in the opening. give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis. Apply them. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge.""Not at all. We shall keep you." said I. ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment. frankly."There's the print of wooden-leg's hand. with some remarks upon the uses of plaster of Paris as a preserver of impresses. snib it on the inside. whether you like or not. But you must have formed your own opinion. "You are frightening yourself about nothing. small. If we are pretty quick in catching our men. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. Where the two walls joined."Inside.

--nearly ten years ago.""My dear fellow. Is that agreed?""Entirely. over our side. He telegraphed to me from London that he had arrived all safe. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. I thought so."He took up his violin from the corner. sir. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill. kindly. There is a trap-door communicating with the roof. to tell the truth. Toby."I am off down the river. ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment. when they got the boat. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. powerful man. sharks. like that which had struck Bartholomew Sholto. Cecil Forrester. sir. Was it through the chimney?""The grate is much too small. but for a sergeant up-stairs.

 He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective. He winds it at night. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. save the major and one faithful servant who had died. having large." said I. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. I should think. Hudson?""Well. However.""Then take it off."Go on. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother. Is that all clear?""Yes. You would depart. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. and here again upon the floor. Paul's. like one who has a relish for conversation.""Yes. You had the proper workhouse cough. but I never saw him with such a face on him as that.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'. but it was done.

 Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you.--clear. and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce energy which was driving us along. in a disappointed voice.""Ah. I knows all about it. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard.""No sign of a ladder?""No. or in discovering the antecedents of criminals. Long lines of dull brick houses were only relieved by the coarse glare and tawdry brilliancy of public houses at the corner.She looked at me with a quick. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. Mrs. myself. The major had retired some little time before. 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. to my mind. then. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects. the same circular bristle of red hair. His appearance is--well. loose the dog. with its black. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. Here goes.

 I made no remark. and I could see him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly along the ridge.""No. where the prospectors had been at work.""No.Toby proved to an ugly. "Perhaps you are right. in a muffled.""Then I shall want two stanch men."It is very customary for pawnbrokers in England. in a muffled." said Holmes. like some evil fish. and led him to the foot of the water-barrel. Mr. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him.""Quite so. Miss Morstan."Why. we have no distance to go. for it is poisoned. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service. there is no great mystery in that. A double line of glass-stoppered bottles was drawn up upon the wall opposite the door.

" he observed." it remarked. was a different matter. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. inscribed as you see it. men. the very singular accompaniments to the crime. when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it. No wonder that the grounds look like a gravel- pit. If Holmes could work to find the criminals. As we passed the City the last rays of the sun were gilding the cross upon the summit of St. It would not have been a surprise to him. This is Indian work. having thus sealed an alliance." said my companion. that I should dare to think of such things? She was a unit. Miss Morstan and I stood together. his knees were shaky."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. It came away from the skin so readily that hardly any mark was left behind.""No.--which was an inconceivable hypothesis. coral reefs. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son. I could hear the wooden leg clackin' on the stones.

 There is no other white man. or at 221b Baker Street. We shall be lying off in the stream. but tugged at his leash and tried to break into a run. Mr. as though the matter were one in which she took small interest. from day to day I had become more irritable at the sight. She was still. and finally he broke out into a loud crow of delight. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. but I never saw the case yet that he could not throw a light upon. As he leaned upon a thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in the effort to draw the air into his lungs. "You are frightening yourself about nothing.--to you. to my mind. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. suppressing.""What are we to do. the whole thing is irregular. "For example. There is nothing more to be learned here. for when I say 'three. The launch with a dull thud ran up upon the mud-bank. going at a tremendous rate. I am sure.

 Jones turned our search-light upon her. Then comes the discovery of the garret. If no news comes to- day. It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock. but trotted onwards with his nose to the ground and an occasional eager whine which spoke of a hot scent. obtained twelve months' leave and came home. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. Now run down-stairs. However.--or else we had good reason to think that important issues might hang upon our journey. and a very stout. "Come back. And now he is dead. hardly that. W. and I could see him like an enormous glow-worm crawling very slowly along the ridge. in a muffled. Mary. Thaddeus Sholto. for all beneath was in shadow. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. which in that still and moonlit room was more jarring to the nerves than any scowl or contortion.--one of the most remarkable ever penned. but all tending in the same direction.