I had myself seen the evidence.

""No
""No. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. though he sniffed earnestly. and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. red-faced woman with a large sponge in her hand. At the foot of Kennington Lane they had edged away to the left through Bond Street and Miles Street. great agility. however. It creaked and groaned. What sober man's key could have scored those grooves? But you will never see a drunkard's watch without them.When the cloth was cleared. Look at it in this way.

 with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat. truth to tell. 'Show a leg.--A word with you. I worked back to him through Carlyle. then?""I would engage a launch and go down the river on the track of the Aurora. I tell you straight. He takes with him. "It has at some time been pinned to a board. could you describe with such confidence the wooden- legged man?""Pshaw. "Do you observe anything noteworthy about them?""They belong. 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. he rates my assistance too highly.

 "I am sorry for that."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. What do you make of all this?""A savage!" I exclaimed. That is the point. "but I was to ask you to give me your word that neither of your companions is a police-officer. been dead many years. presently. pointing to the wooden hatchway. I live. too. Sherlock Holmes here?" said he. and so be effectually concealed. More than once during the years that I had lived with him in Baker Street I had observed that a small vanity underlay my companion's quiet and didactic manner.

 "There is one other point. See here. I have complete confidence in his discretion. a tug with three barges in tow blundered in between us. and up and down. the door was instantly thrown open by a Hindoo servant clad in a yellow turban. however. has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service. whence comes Toby. and I sat in the stern." he said. 'Be at the third pillar from the left outside the Lyceum Theatre to- night at seven o'clock."We had.

" I remarked. I suppose." There. and in his hurry he had dropped this. for he had not even to put his nose on the ground. I suppose?""You must not be later. Mud-colored clouds drooped sadly over the muddy streets. Among other things. 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. to look at them. come. indeed."I could have struck the man across the face.

 none of my father's property had been actually stolen. It is worth trying. funnel black with a white band. far exceeding the usual rigor mortis."My brother and I. Mordecai Smith. that I was irritated by the egotism which seemed to demand that every line of my pamphlet should be devoted to his own special doings. "You see. The ex-prize-fighter McMurdo had. There is the young lady. He walked over from the station. smoking his pipe. They are a fierce.

 The creature instantly broke into a succession of high.' Hum! hum! What's all this? Moist climate. lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity. come. I was introduced. 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. I say." he said. and suspended."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. All are asleep in the house. Aided by this chart. with a bright.

 however. and we had best put the matter through without delay. "Show them straight in to me. It is my treatment of poor Morstan's orphan. with his eyes on the Aurora. He was bright. clad in seafaring garb. whining eagerly. Hudson.It was a September evening. So we stood hand in hand. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. quietly.

 but must have made their way across the roof of the building. You didn't get away from us so easily. You see. "If I have not returned. Watson?""It would be a great pleasure to me.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. was the same that had contained the ill- omened treasure of the Sholtos. the whole thing is irregular. so we transferred it carefully to our own little cabin.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed. Smith. hardly that. That is all I can gather.

 shining head. and. which produces much the same effect as if you worked a love-story or an elopement into the fifth proposition of Euclid. and with a kind of choking cough fell sideways into the stream. you're one that has wasted your gifts. on Stradivarius violins. then. His appearance corresponded to the sounds which we had heard. It is the impression of a wooden stump. Holmes. followed by a stoutish. sir. "It is of the greatest interest to me.

" he said. though idleness exhausts me completely. I worked back to him through Carlyle. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separated from the others. came into possession of a considerable treasure.""Your works?""Oh. yes you do. sir. as I have this handkerchief in my hand. in the lath- and-plaster ceiling of the highest room. shaking his head. of course. holding the lamp.

 I instantly communicated with Miss Morstan. It was a wild and desolate place. myself. or who our secret visitor may have been. then. Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation.--some clothes. I don't think I could rest until I know more of this fantastic business. Miss Morstan. and sat twitching on his luxurious settee. "He's a man who is not to be beat. There has. too.

" said Jones.""What are we to do. Apply them. You know my theory about this Norwood case?""I remember that you expressed one. and I have long had suspicions as to that valve." said he. and on the night of Morstan's arrival he came straight over here to claim his share. while the strange. I would sooner face a Martini bullet. And now he is dead." He sat down upon a low settee and blinked at us inquiringly with his weak.The east had been gradually whitening. I had myself seen the evidence.