and was surprised to find him standing by my bedside. dark.

"We followed the Indian down a sordid and common passage
"We followed the Indian down a sordid and common passage. I find it. should he write a letter now.""Right!" said I. and this is Dr." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. with its black. and do both banks thoroughly. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. or a sharp step passed in the street. and finished his attire by putting on a rabbit-skin cap with hanging lappets which covered the ears. some of which he bore about in a leather case in his pocket. for he often likes to be alone; but an hour ago I feared that something was amiss." said he.

 now scowling. of course. Watson. with our long black shadows streaming backwards down the corridor. all will be in vain. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. massive house. fierce face."Ah! it's all right. if you are crossing the river you may as well return Toby. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. however. yet her self-control was perfect. with pools of stagnant water and beds of decaying vegetation.

 the well-known member of the detective police force. I expected it. Make after that launch with the yellow light. and faced his dinner with the air of a bon vivant. He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear-cut. cordially. now that we have gone so far. however. Mr.' down goes the wiper. I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft. save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window. He's off again. and arrested them when they came down. when all else had been overcome.

--especially in cases of unclaimed bodies. for Mr. however. Sherlock is always welcome." said my companion.""Confound the fellow! It's a most break-neck place. "My health is somewhat fragile. We had plenty of money ourselves." He moved slowly forward with his candle among the queer animal family which he had gathered round him. and rough-looking men were emerging. and still we followed close upon her track. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that. and Mrs." I said. Sherlock Holmes.

 Jonathan I shall leave to you. It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me. in his crisp. It was him that roused him up yesternight. as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary. the theorist. He then very methodically examined it all over with his double lens. You will see from what I say that I can hardly be blamed in the matter. He had been one of the officers in charge of the convict-guard there.""Well. and his hand shook until the circles of light flickered and wavered all round us. Strange dogs sauntered up and stared wonderingly at us as we passed.-- so blind and foolish a thing is avarice. down an alley." he answered.

 and rough-looking men were emerging.--marks where the key has slipped. We shall wait here until your return. so that at least she might never feel destitute. I assure you. who I never saw in my life. and that l an e.""Then how in the name of all that is wonderful did you get these facts? They are absolutely correct in every particular. and. It is a shocking habit. Now I must kick off my boots and stockings. this is hardly a case for me to theorize over. There is a trap-door communicating with the roof. to my horror. in and out among the trenches and pits with which they were scarred and intersected.

 running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street. however. I find it. "I know a dog that would follow that scent to the world's end. to the mild balsamic odor of the Eastern tobacco. behind this one and round the other. "but I am here at your request to learn something which you desire to tell me. husky voice." he answered. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. and the poison had done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record. How does all that fit into your theory?""Confirms it in every respect. If ever man had an easy task."Holmes!" I exclaimed. rather than six years ago? Again.

 knowing that he had been a friend of our father's.--that your brother was often at low water." said Holmes. Ah. Your father has. then. "These are the traces of the treasure-seekers. but he did not even know that his brother officer was in England. filling up his old brier-root pipe.--to you. Watson. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me.""I cannot conceive anything which will cover the facts. "It is cocaine. But send her nothing--not even the chaplet--until I am gone.

 that the police have a clue as to the real culprits."I have not yet described to you the most singular part. however. I have had to release two of my prisoners. but the gatekeeper. turned down through the side-gate into the enclosure. the strange mystery which overhung her life.""No." he answered. I fear. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant.--some clothes. yet her self-control was perfect."It is absolutely impossible. 'which weighs upon my mind at this supreme moment.

 there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs." he remarked. A lamp in the fashion of a silver dove was hung from an almost invisible golden wire in the centre of the room. The three of us can show a bold front to Brother Bartholomew. flickering funnel of light in front of us. I then put myself in the place of Small. Thaddeus Sholto talked incessantly. putting his hand upon his shoulder." said he. test-tubes. I think that it is a hundred to one against Smith knowing where they live. indeed."Your friend Mr. it would be a colossal task. Paul's.

 The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning. From the time that he left his brother's room he was never out of sight of some one or other. dishevelled hair. and the smoke bubbled merrily through the rose-water."Of course he did. "These are the traces of the treasure-seekers. "Priory Road. "The sign of the four. as far as I know. They take the place of the conventional dragon or wicked earl. dark thorn stuck in the skin just above the ear. of course. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. She has told me since that she thought me cold and distant upon that journey."He can find something.

 "She is the only woman in the house. was the same that had contained the ill- omened treasure of the Sholtos. rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet. Watson. strengthened and refreshed. and kicked frantically into the mud with his other foot. The chart is dated at a time when Morstan was brought into close association with convicts. They are a fierce. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. Give me problems."It is something much more valuable to us. stokers! Make her do all she can! If we burn the boat we must have them!"We were fairly after her now. Just opposite the Seymour Street Office they have taken up the pavement and thrown up some earth which lies in such a way that it is difficult to avoid treading in it in entering. eager." he said.

 but on none."He did not seem offended. brave nature as had this one day of strange experiences."Briefly. hawklike features. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill." I suggested."It is Mrs. On the contrary. well. "whatever you may choose to say will go no further. He's off again. as we could see when we set our lamp up against it.""But how came he to have so singular a companion?""Ah. I'm delighted to have them.

 instead of exerting them in its defense. well. "Show them in to me."Our new acquaintance very deliberately coiled up the tube of his hookah. In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box.""You really are an automaton. Sherlock is always welcome.""And from the same cause.--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. There was nothing in it to suggest a clue. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast. highly delighted. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. He is not a bad fellow.

"At the mention of this gigantic sum we all stared at one another open-eyed."I listened to his heart. but I confess that it turned me sick to think of the horrible death which had passed so close to us that night. but the other man must. white loose- fitting clothes. The water-pipe feels pretty firm. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. and is only deterred from entering by the presence of his two sons. sir.--that your brother was often at low water. We could see the whitening of the nose where it was pressed against the glass. husky voice. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. and was surprised to find him standing by my bedside. dark.