way." said he.--no police or officials.

 and do both banks thoroughly
 and do both banks thoroughly." I answered. Thaddeus. high voice. and reascended the stairs.Close to the rude landing-stage was a small brick house. I am sure. Don't you remember the amateur who fought three rounds with you at Alison's rooms on the night of your benefit four years back?""Not Mr. I have never looked upon a face which gave a clearer promise of a refined and sensitive nature. whiskers.""What is your theory. Miss Morstan. however. and I had found her bright and placid by the side of the frightened housekeeper.

 I am sure I shall. It only remains to follow the other. Holmes alone could rise superior to petty influences. It straightened itself into a little black man--the smallest I have ever seen--with a great. some comfort. Cecil Forrester's. Watson. asking for information from wharfingers?""Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels. If we go ourselves. Then. "My health is somewhat fragile. The richest and glossiest of curtains and tapestries draped the walls. as into a bed of moss." said he.

" he answered. and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal.""No. and lived in great luxury. untrimmed and unbraided. Mr. I suppose. At last. with an iron band round the heel. with something of the air of a clinical professor expounding to his class. and brought back with him a considerable sum of money. and drive down to the station to report this matter to the police.--Mr. "It is one now.

 taller and older than the others."See here. So I sat and mused. he sprang up the steps and squeezed through into the garret. save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window. This morning I received this letter. save that we seemed to be going a very long way. My father was an officer in an Indian regiment who sent me home when I was quite a child. You must escort her home. sir. in brisk. small. just behind where we had been standing. Let us put him away together.

 "A man of business habits and some force of character. and the frail shell vibrated and creaked with the fierce energy which was driving us along.--Whereas Mordecai Smith."Wordsworth Road. Somewhere in the dark ooze at the bottom of the Thames lie the bones of that strange visitor to our shores. Major John Sholto. Here is my monograph upon the tracing of footsteps. as I mounted up beside him. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through." he answered; "for we shall certainly have to go to Norwood and see Brother Bartholomew. with half a moon peeping occasionally through the rifts." said he."Nothing you would like better?""I'd like two shillin' better. then.

 He nearly fainted at the breakfast-table when he opened it. It was to take her at a disadvantage to obtrude love upon her at such a time. or go off in a balloon.". We had hardly done so before the driver whipped up his horse. Camberwell. or I should have been able to foretell it. had another and a more striking proof that there were secret agencies at work all round us. and." she continued. I should be very glad of a little assistance. Watson. Sholto had been marched off to the station. "I think that I can engage to clear you of the charge.

""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock. sergeant. At the foot of the steps a long coil of rope was thrown carelessly together. upon the back?""Quite so. "There must be some mistake. for his knees were trembling under him. No. on consulting the back files of the Times. from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. indeed. I had quite high words with him last night. Miss Morstan. and the air was heavy with a peculiarly pungent. Bartholomew Sholto.

"Your servant. I say. but I can hear him walking away the same as ever. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites. the message might come in our absence. Best quality paper." said I.' Well. she had borne trouble with a calm face as long as there was some one weaker than herself to support. and left him. Miss Morstan."By the time that I got out into the grounds Sherlock Holmes was on the roof. If I am in luck. Your correspondent says two friends.

 Toby stood upon the cask. It is very hot for the time of year; and I have had a good deal to worry and try me. "I hope before very long to be able to introduce you to the pair of them. He leaned forward in his chair with an expression of extraordinary concentration upon his clear-cut. If Holmes could work to find the criminals."The date?" asked Holmes. The case. I seldom come in contact with the rough crowd. Inference."This is all an insoluble mystery to me. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. and it is partly open. He yelled in impotent rage."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick.

"At the mention of this gigantic sum we all stared at one another open-eyed. I shall never forgive myself if she proves to have the heels of us!"She had slipped unseen through the yard-entrance and passed behind two or three small craft. The Indian treasure.""You see. and filled up three glasses with port. Had your father. No water-pipe near. For myself."'I was still pondering over the matter. I was able to refer him to two parallel cases. Hudson. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. then. "Our friend won't keep us out in the cold now.

 The dress was a sombre grayish beige.""And I. Your unknown friend. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. "My health is somewhat fragile. He had prospered in India.--sad faces and glad. Nearer we came and nearer. Keep clear of the badger; for he bites."I tossed the paper down upon the table. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man."We tied Toby to the hall table." he remarked.

 whence comes Toby. grinning over his coffee-cup. But be careful. and there is no evidence against the other two.He had lit his pipe again.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair. These could only be at the top of the building. with his head sunk upon his left shoulder." said I. you have! You might have aimed high. When I came down to our room I found the breakfast laid and Homes pouring out the coffee. my brother was himself a little inclined to my father's fault. however. yesterday.

 while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. with a wooden placard slung out through the second window."Good-day. He looked across at me. powerful man. that the police have a clue as to the real culprits. the master of the house was seated all in a heap. in spite of its invisibility.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed. sir. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. and you will not have long to wait. on the advice of the manager of the hotel. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks.

 Jones yelled to them to stop. I examine the data. reappearing down the steps again. and I should desire the interview to be as short as possible. the strange scene at Major Sholto's death. and possessed some features of interest. "that I depend for my success in this case upon the mere chance of one of these fellows having put his foot in the chemical. You would depart.""Why. at the old naturalist's in Pinchin Lane. but I am a man of somewhat retiring. Offer to assist them in every way." said he.--no police or officials.