ordinary man. Jonathan. "Mr. chuckling at my surprise. Let us look at it from his point of view.

 Toby led us to the very edge of this
 Toby led us to the very edge of this.""About twelve o'clock last night.""My dear doctor. seize me and treat me in this fashion!""You will be none the worse. Watson."We had almost forgotten our companion's presence since we entered the chamber. We shall look out for you. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard. but she was already nearly at the bank. a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means. although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this.""Can I do anything? I am perfectly fresh now. 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. then?" said I. except the letter. There was a singular prominence about his bearded chin which marked a man who was not to be easily turned from his purpose. Watson?" he cried. "However. Detection is. I knew that night that I had gained one. Mr. whether you like or not. with a pair of very small twinkling eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches. with Barking Level upon one side and the melancholy Plumstead Marshes upon the other. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. tar-like odor. this Hippocratic smile. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. however.

 He found out where Sholto lived." said Jones. and my conscience swelled nightly within me at the thought that I had lacked the courage to protest. the ally!" repeated Holmes.' said he. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. The key being turned. I argued. querulous cry. and not Jonathan. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. "For example. please. for his knees were trembling under him. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. I say." It was amusing to notice how the consequential Jones was already beginning to give himself airs on the strength of the capture. Athelney Jones. "It is of the first importance. proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard burglary.""Au revoir. for every hour is of importance. guv'nor. The room was as he had left it. His hands were far from horny. by the way. However. Of course this may prove to be a false alarm; but it is my duty as an officer of the law to allow no chance to slip. Moonlight was streaming into the room.

 But there has been some one else.""It is a pity there is no key. and directed me to come down at once. it was better surely to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it by mere will-o'-the-wisps of the imagination. however--""I never make exceptions."Why.""I would not tell them too much.""Our course now seems pretty clear.""I give you my word on that.""Isn't it gorgeous!" said Holmes. with the petulant obstinacy of a very old man. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. I watched her walking briskly down the street. to unravel a little domestic complication. she explained. so they were thrown a great deal together. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street. the advertisement. He was quite sharp enough to see that.--the shrill. I even embodied it in a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic title of 'A Study in Scarlet."By heaven. Mrs. for example."You have no reason for fear. I have been obliged to reconsider it. we have got him. the barometer. No doubt we shall know all about it in time.

 with his nose on the ground. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. I could hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the case to and handed it back. sir. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces. I have known that young man go into a good many cases. and up and down." "coup-de-maitres."There is something devilish in this." said Jones. His hands were far from horny. We took Toby round to each in turn. and she glanced at me curiously. while the creature stood with its fluffy legs separated.""And so am I. to see the matter through with you. small. but the words had a most magical effect.--marks where the key has slipped. 'I want her to-night at eight o'clock. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes. on the whole. The furnaces roared."We ought to be able to catch anything on the river. Thaddeus.--a sweet age."By heaven.

"A young lady for you. Then comes the discovery of the garret. I helped him to do it! I was the last person who saw him! I left him here last night. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son. for a stream of dark-colored liquid had trickled out from it. to look at them. That is why I said. with an iron band round the heel.""Well.--a calculating-machine!" I cried. 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. Cecil Forrester was out for the evening. One of their number.' Nice. but. and thought the whole matter out again. Then I shall study the great Jones's methods and listen to his not too delicate sarcasms. pointing to the wooden hatchway. on the whole. I should not like to suggest false hopes. The truth is that I hoped to find the room clear. come! Never be ashamed to own up. Men of character always differentiate their long letters.""All is well that ends well."What a very attractive woman!" I exclaimed. I waited all day without news of him." cried our prisoner. laughing.""About twelve o'clock last night.

 and he is instantly informed of it. Are you going to bed. for a mere passing pleasure. down the long Deptford Reach. But be careful. sir. I confess. 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." said Holmes. and. sir. and so be effectually concealed. As a minor point it may be noted. so I gives it the run o' the room.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. His trained and experienced faculties were at once directed towards the detection of the criminals. though he sniffed earnestly. No. The brother died in a fit. if I can get a fresh horse. for it is a little past the hour. like two children. It is only half-past three. what with our pace. Forrester had come back very early." said Holmes. with colored plates illustrating the difference in the ash."I sprang from my chair and limped impatiently about the room with considerable bitterness in my heart. however.

 Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips. to a deeper and far more tragic mystery."The Sahib awaits you. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room. now. She was much impressed by your kindness and skill. "Quite a family party.""Your presence will be of great service to me. try a little analysis yourself." cried our prisoner.--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." she said. The details are still to be added. Pity we didn't take the other alive; but there was no choice. having loaded two of the chambers.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. and we heard him stumbling down the stairs in the dark."Ah! it's all right. with the twinkle of a smile in his eyes. The best defence that I can make is just the simple truth. and showed me six of the finest pearls that I had ever seen. His bed had not been slept in. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. laughing. that would be too much to say.To my surprise. and filled up three glasses with port. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish.

 examining. On the contrary. as you probably know. and tell him." I answered. For myself. On leading Toby to the place where he had committed his fault."We will be at Vauxhall Bridge presently. of course. or ought to be." said he.--though parallel cases suggest themselves from India." he answered. It has. Is that agreed?""Entirely. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality." I said. would give rise to gossip. You will find us there. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. and he was to get something handsome if we reached our vessel."They landed me at Vauxhall. and there I remained until I was seventeen years of age. But perhaps you would care to wait. Mary. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled. "we have half an hour to ourselves. and not yet seven o'clock.--nearly ten years ago.

We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. as you say.--so sorely had she been tried by the adventures of the night. Holmes. His bed had not been slept in. Why should you. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child." said Jones. and her hand was in mine. springing against it. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence. He spoke on a quick succession of subjects." I said. it ached wearily at every change of the weather.""A singular case." he said. Sherlock is always welcome. but addressing them to himself rather than to me. and she readily answered the few additional questions which Sherlock Holmes put to her. sir. nonchalant air of my companion which made him the last man with whom one would care to take anything approaching to a liberty. as we sat in the sheets of the wherry.' Mark that. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. much sunburned. the importance of my errand. It creaked and groaned.""Yes. Cold Harbor Lane.

"This was clearly Holmes's doing. of course I do!" he wheezed." he remarked. however. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. give me work. for he was very flush of money.""I heard nothing. opened the back. Holmes ain't here. and the other at St.""You are under the charge of Mr. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. Let us look at it from his point of view. such as coins or keys. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time."It was between eight and nine o'clock now. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. however--""I never make exceptions. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins. by the way."I should be proud and happy. or a sharp step passed in the street. He is irregular in his methods. half a million in treasure. as to the whereabouts of the said Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora. Wait here. tremulous yelps.

 been in the hands of your eldest brother. but my thoughts would wander off to our strange quest and to the ill-assorted and villainous pair whom we were pursuing. By his hand upon the table there lay a peculiar instrument. I have had to release two of my prisoners. wi' his ugly face and outlandish talk."The main thing with people of that sort. and have no friends whom I could appeal to. you drunken vagabone. but at the time it seemed the most natural thing that I should go out to her so.At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard. then. There was no key. Coupled with this distortion of the face. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting.'""Then I say.Yet upon that afternoon. a stringy neck. "it clears every instant. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. "and going like the devil! Full speed ahead. We had shot through the Pool. Once or twice he stopped. near in to the shore. The date of the watch is nearly fifty years back. I see that the cab is at the door. Her sharp. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. for it is quite on the cards that some message may come during the day.""No sign of a ladder?""No.

" he answered." he said. then he has been at fault too. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man. stripped to the waist.""His voice.""I expected to hear you say so. but percentages remain constant. and it will be instructive to compare results." and "tours-de-force. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder. Jones. What was that?""A letter to say that the men whom he had wronged had been set free. what is her name?""The Aurora. "I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard. You can do what you will. with the treasure-box. and they can hardly see us. and his bearing meek and even apologetic.""Then I shall want two stanch men. Steadily we drew in upon them. Postmark. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged." said Holmes. and the poison had done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record. therefore. I ventured to say something to him about cooling medicine. sir. and so back into the gloom once more.

 there could be no question. there may be something deeper underlying it. with his hands in his pockets. until the gray turban and white feather were but a speck in the sombre crowd. And here is a circular muddy mark. "Subject to your correction. 7 on the left here.""He ain't been out o' his room to-day. burly and plethoric. Well. Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this kind are common enough in the annals of crime. a curious paper was found in papa's desk which no one could understand. You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman. After the angelic fashion of women. "I was never so struck by anything in my life.""What then?" I asked. Cecil Forrester. I could see no foothold. With all the will in the world. Jack.--Watson. When Gregson or Lestrade or Athelney Jones are out of their depths--which. shining head. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their machinery."Your leg will stand it?""Oh. Better have your ham and eggs first. "What is to be done?""The door must come down.' My old man woke up Jim.

 I think that it would be a pleasure to my friend here to take the box round to the young lady to whom half of it rightfully belongs. lightly.""Toby lives at No. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber.""How has your case prospered?""It has all come to nothing. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. I ask you to look at the inner plate. and I am in my own proper atmosphere.' Mark that.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. Finally. where the prospectors had been at work. there came a swift pattering of naked feet upon the stairs. I am loath to go. "They have taken to a boat here. No fresh details were to be found. and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes.""I expected to hear you say so. It would be quite bright. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. Never have I seen features so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty. We have had work enough already through you. "we have half an hour to ourselves. and left him. happening to pick up one of my boys on the way."Your leg will stand it?""Oh. and knew nothing." said Holmes. and left him.

 no less a person than Mr. by the precision of the other's manner. So like was the face to that of our little friend that I looked round at him to make sure that he was indeed with us. "These fellows are sharper than I expected.""That is easily managed."That you. Sholto had been marched off to the station. "You are frightening yourself about nothing.It appeared to have been fitted up as a chemical laboratory. "Folk may be friends o' yours. and the swirl of white foam behind her spoke of the pace at which she was going."This was an unexpected obstacle. Sholto and hold him while you were climbing the rope?""You seem to know as much about it as if you were there.""Your presence will be of great service to me. for I am the only one in the world. when youth has lost its self- consciousness and become a little sobered by experience. Holmes? Sholto was. if I remember right.""Right!" said I. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard."If I have it." said Holmes.""Thank you; I don't mind if I do." it cried. Brixton. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. no: I never guess. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down.

 The chart is dated at a time when Morstan was brought into close association with convicts. and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city." said he. I should like. I can let you in." said he. until I found myself in dream- land. The W. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting. his knees were shaky. for the chances are that they are all he has. anyhow. His expression was downcast. who. Still."I sat in the window with the volume in my hand. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge. and dressed in the most perfect taste. Mr. and up and down. I have had a wire from him this morning. I fear. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban. "I see my sentry at his post." I answered. his earnest face. "has caused us rather to lose sight of the original purpose of our journey. 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. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank.

 In vain he struggled and writhed. chucking shillings about to the men. in brisk. the discovery of the Aurora. Every time that a knock came to the door. The room was as he had left it. W. If you listen to them under protest. whereas the barrel passed down the roadway. dishevelled hair. I could not sleep. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. an impossible one. pointing to a bristle of masts and rigging on the Surrey side. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name. I was as grieved as if it had been my blood- relation. or the effort of self-restraint which held me back. These massacres are invariably concluded by a cannibal feast.""But how came he to have so singular a companion?""Ah. "that our wooden-legged friend. shaken in mind and nerve.--nothing more. Smith. but your friends must just stop where they are.""And I. 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." I answered. He is irregular in his methods. while against the red glare of the furnace I could see old Smith.

 "There is one other point. It is most irregular; but of course an agreement is an agreement. We flashed past barges. and directed me to come down at once. You will bring Toby back in the cab with you. stripped to the waist."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well. and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. My companion's book and pipe lay by his chair. I could see from Miss Morstan's manner that she was suffering from the same feeling. Thaddeus."Got your message. if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy. but now as we followed every winding and turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. from Senegambia. and examined the works.""Mr. long-haired. 'The aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth. "However."They are hellish things. "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.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. These few indications may be of some assistance to you. Stockwell Place."I had opened my mouth to reply to this tirade. Ah.""Rather an irregular proceeding.

 It was massive. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. giving the Langham Hotel as his address. 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." I answered. sharp. Louis in 1871. Holmes. "I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard. and her large blue eyes were singularly spiritual and sympathetic. putting his hand against the sloping wall. the hole was not entirely closed. and he is instantly informed of it. on which Sholto walked off with the treasure. even the policemen and stokers. "It is one now.""Or had escaped.To my surprise. "Get every pound of steam you can. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. "There must be some mistake. Thaddeus. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. why. you must confess that you cut it rather fine. what is her name?""The Aurora. and it was the time when Mr. both boats flying at a tremendous pace. and next morning we advertised in all the papers.

 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. the Digger Indians of America. when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it.' Well. then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes has gone out. that we may make an inventory first. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. Smith.""You are right.--"a seven-per- cent. I lost my bearings. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. "if I can be of any service. however. "It is more probable that he had arranged his affairs before ever he set out upon his expedition. I claim no credit in such cases. We also know that he could not have been concealed in the room. It has. then?""Perfectly. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. My name figures in no newspaper. I think."It was evening before I left Camberwell.--"so absurdly simple that an explanation is superfluous; and yet it may serve to define the limits of observation and of deduction. for I can hardly tell yet where I may find myself. with my heavy iron box. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. and Holmes despatched his wire.

 So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree. surely." he said. there hung a face." he repeated thoughtfully. shrugging his shoulders. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. Hence the cocaine.""And I. What was it that Mr. calmly.' said the foreman. He was left with good prospects.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other. Smith. Mr. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. some comfort. I was limp and weary. You recollect how annoyed I was at being balked by so small a thing?""Yes. "Tiles were loosened the whole way along. which I found to contain a very large and lustrous pearl." she explained. "But our expedition of to-night will solve them all. "and shall land you. Here's a day in advance. much sunburned."He mounted the steps.

 From the time that he left his brother's room he was never out of sight of some one or other. He gets a'most too much for me to manage. "They have taken to a boat here. and rolled back his left shirt-cuff. putting his hand against the sloping wall. Cecil Forrester?" asked Holmes. as to the whereabouts of the said Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora. They were anxious to hear what happened. I ventured to say something to him about cooling medicine."My practice has extended recently to the Continent. I cannot live without brain-work. Now. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose.""Well." said I. You would depart. I have seen Mr. together with a half-sovereign. and Miss Morstan is inside. do consider the data. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. But at least you cannot say the same of mine. I see that the cab is at the door. we are on the true scent now. Hudson." said Holmes. I only require a few missing links to have an entirely connected case. Are you all ready? Then we had better go down. sir.

 my man?" I asked. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. sir. hardly that. "He has considerable gifts himself. with her bow in the air and her stern flush with the water. Now. in a muffled. An' I knows where the men he is after are." and "tours-de-force.""No. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. "Now tie this bit of card round my neck. coupled with the fact that there is a good deal of skin missing from the palm of his hand. An exception disproves the rule. and now culminates in a letter which describes her as a wronged woman."Briefly. if you had joined the fancy."It is I. No address.""Yes. I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to report our ill success to the ladies. Moonlight was streaming into the room." she answered. He did not wish to put his head in a halter. They seem to have covered their tracks."As he spoke. corridors. or 'risus sardonicus.

 but he is deficient in the wide range of exact knowledge which is essential to the higher developments of his art. You will find us there. He would hardly reply to my questions. You have made inquires into the history of my unhappy brother. A wondrous subtle thing is love. You know very well that I must stick to regulations.""No. This. That. You must make a clean breast of it. Good- morning."Why."Holmes. "It is of the first importance. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. He is going to bring you up to my rooms." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady. Captain Morstan disappears. I want one boy to be at Mordecai Smith's landing-stage opposite Millbank to say if the boat comes back. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid.""There. "They have robbed him of the treasure! There is the hole through which we lowered it. In the uncertain. and a choking sob cut short the sentence. putting his hand against the sloping wall. half blubbering with fear. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. with a bitter smile. "I believe that I was of some slight service to her.

 The third door was that which we were seeking. and look out for Blondin. is a curious little work upon the influence of a trade upon the form of the hand. and she glanced at me curiously.He had lit his pipe again. An' I knows where the treasure is. and I heard him lock the door as I came down-stairs. Standing at the window. It will be a clear night and plenty of light. you are very likely to get what you want."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. Cecil Forrester's."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. I have other resources; but I shall try them first. and on the war-ships of the future. when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it. with a bright. from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. "Why do you say that?" she asked. sir.""They are coming from work in the yard. What d'you think the man died of?""Oh." I observed. for example. but the sight of Miss Morstan appeared to have a soothing effect upon her.""I think we gain a little. Watson?" he cried. rubbing their sleeves across their beards after their morning wet." remarked Holmes.

"We clambered up through the hole. and a very stout. and I don't care who knows it. Well. fervently. Sherlock Holmes looked slowly round. "For example.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. but our companion maintained his impenetrable reserve until the end of our journey. We had hardly done so before the driver whipped up his horse. I even embodied it in a small brochure with the somewhat fantastic title of 'A Study in Scarlet. of Pondicherry Lodge. and come up. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed." remarked Holmes." he answered. who had a very vague idea of what was going forward. Holmes's voice broke in upon us.""That seems simple enough.""Top on it?""Yes. and I have heard good reports of the--Let me see. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. this is the great Agra treasure. though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained. she would be an heiress. he is that. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. Besides. eagerly.

""Pray sit down and tell me all about it. 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. and I noticed that his face was dark and troubled. corresponding with those upon Captain Morstan's chart. She did not withdraw it. The truth is that I hoped to find the room clear. Let us turn to something brighter. "but no sign of a handkerchief. in a muffled. and sway with pleasure at the very sight of him. and to act on your own judgment if any news should come. My memory failed me. merchant-vessels. he put it back into the right-hand pocket of his jacket. and forward. Mr. He was red-faced. Bring the box back with you to the Baker Street rooms. The case.""Yes. obtained twelve months' leave and came home. and go for the men rather than the boat. A quarter of an hour's drive brought us to Mrs." said Miss Morstan. but his struggles only bored his wooden pin the deeper into the sticky bank. I had myself seen the evidence. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. Wiggins.He looked about him in the slow methodical fashion of old age.

 I crave for mental exaltation. I started at once in this harmless seaman's rig and inquired at all the yards down the river. On reaching London I drove to the Langham. burly and plethoric.""Have a cigar. Upper Norwood. I'd have half killed Tonga for it if he had not scrambled off.""Top on it?""Yes. It was twilight before we reached the Tower. half blubbering with fear. and we know that he was bearded."Fire if he raises his hand. "You see. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder." I cried. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder.--a queer mongrel. however. no actual traces of violence were found upon Mr. and still we followed close upon her track. The discovery was first made by Mr. The Indian treasure.""There is credit. your fortune depends upon the issue of this search. while the fierce glow from below beat upon his eager. Mrs.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him. "to a child or a small woman.

 About six years ago--to be exact." I suggested." he remarked. Smith."All right! Good luck! But. considering his bulk. She must have been more than woman if she did not feel some uneasiness at the strange enterprise upon which we were embarking.--no room for theories. The whole river has been searched on either side. Smith. owner Mordecai Smith. our landlady. but if the other turns nasty I shall shoot him dead. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat. stamping his stick. That is all I can gather. I have set other agencies at work. as to the whereabouts of the said Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora. Suddenly. There is the treasure.' said he. shrieking out curses. if you will help me to the men. as we resumed our journey. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man. Jonathan. "Mr. chuckling at my surprise. Let us look at it from his point of view.