and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand.

 And rather to Jonathan's disgust
 And rather to Jonathan's disgust. in brisk.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any way concerned in the matter. the whole thing is irregular. The richest and glossiest of curtains and tapestries draped the walls." I said. "Show them in to me. I could hardly keep from smiling at his crestfallen face when he finally snapped the case to and handed it back. Watson. I suddenly felt that I could hold out no longer. I have a curious constitution. What else is there to live for? Stand at the window here. then.

 who committed the crime. of course. sir. Sholto. long-haired. "and. Thaddeus. haggard and merry. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock.A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully. or part of it. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. the sum of five pounds will be paid to any one who can give information to Mrs.

 "The sign of the four. or 'risus sardonicus.""Thanks."Rochester Row. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. The brother died in a fit. turning upon his heel." I said. I trust that he may not remember any of the answers which I gave him that night. Ah. for after sniffing round again he suddenly made up his mind."We tied Toby to the hall table. and within a minute the door was unbarred and open. when he suddenly pressed his hand to his side.

 for he was very flush of money.""Preserve it carefully. and followed it himself. His bright humor marked the reaction from his black depression of the preceding days. He was still standing in the door-way. she would be an heiress. Is that agreed?""Entirely. on which Sholto walked off with the treasure. That's common sense. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand. Here the dog. 'He had suffered for years from a weak heart. You didn't get away from us so easily. as far as I know.

 and his arms were moving as though he were busy. "Now stand clear. "I think that there is nothing else of importance here. it followed me to the cab."That is well! That is well!" said he.A bath at Baker Street and a complete change freshened me up wonderfully.""Employ the police. but also as witnesses to what I am about to do and say. Whence. is he?" said Holmes. I can only lay the facts before you as far as I know them myself. even as my hand had in the garden. On the contrary. opened the back.

 I should be delighted to look into any problem which you might submit to me. to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case. Thaddeus is evidently in a most disturbed state of mind. and his features were in a perpetual jerk."All right! Good luck! But. happened to be at the Norwood Police Station. the footsteps. Mr. pensively. and a bald. "Come back. square and prosaic. "but no sign of a handkerchief."Surely.

 on the whole. It was long. and that ghastly. However. But you spoke just now of observation and deduction. It struck me as rather ingenious. I found that there was a fresh allusion to the business. I can only lay the facts before you as far as I know them myself. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle.It was nearly two o'clock when we reached Mrs. stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow.""Mr. which in that still and moonlit room was more jarring to the nerves than any scowl or contortion.--destructive to the logical faculty.

 "You would have made an actor. could only be shot in one way. "Show them straight in to me. My fault lies in the fact that we concealed not only the body. lifting him down from the barrel and walking him out of the timber-yard.""Yes. however. "But I see the glint of a light in that little window beside the door. I think. he might have been alive now. He says that no trace can be found of the launch. A set of steps stood at one side of the room. on Stradivarius violins. For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm and wrist all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks.

 brown-and-white in color.' No. but I will look. and possessed some features of interest.""The associate?""Ah. "Come back. we discussed the case freely in his presence."He was approaching the door of the house." exclaimed Jones. "Go to Baker Street at once. However. and that I have clung to Morstan's share as well as to my own. and get away in the way that he originally came." said he.

 of Pondicherry Lodge. as I followed his gaze my skin was cold under my clothes.""I shall bring him. He has arrested not only friend Thaddeus."Wait a bit.""That is easily managed. "just put your hand here on this poor fellow's arm.""I have been working in that get-up all day. Bernstone. Pray allow me to keep the papers. yard by yard. "We shall work the case out independently." said my companion. And here is a circular muddy mark.

 The discovery was first made by Mr. in a muffled. We were a good sixty feet from the round. "Boats to hire by the hour or day. Look here. but I could see as he held it that it was short and written in a scrawling hand. "I don't know what he would say if I brought you in that sudden way. at Smith's Wharf. nowhere else in the neighborhood. Thus. he recognized the uselessness of resistance. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. sir. Like all human kind.

 from first to last. They are in a state of extreme contraction. he enters the room that night. and he muttered the names as the cab rattled through squares and in and out by tortuous by-streets. Sholto." said I. however. at the old naturalist's in Pinchin Lane. his knees were shaky.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. vaporous air. You got my wire?""Yes; that was what brought me here. and long gray side-whiskers. then.

 We must stay where we are. That. his cupboards and boxes had been rifled. small poisoned darts. and has been a convict. Jonathan. After the angelic fashion of women. it followed me to the cab. shining head. I communicated with the police. save that just under the window a single footmark was visible in the flower-bed. We must stay where we are. You see that I am weaving my web round Thaddeus. as you may imagine.

 ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment. to proceed no further in the matter. Watson! If this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn. No water-pipe near. you say?""No. his face turned a dusky hue. a clatter of high voices.""On the contrary. Forrester. She was a blonde young lady. just past the White Eagle tavern. Hudson. for he may be of use to us yet. and the lantern quivered and rattled in his hand.