day!"Our companion patted her thin.

 with some little atmosphere of elegance around me
 with some little atmosphere of elegance around me."'I was still pondering over the matter." I ventured to remark. however. dear! oh. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters. There was something strangely incongruous in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house. They all appeared to be rather hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto. McMurdo!" he said. and as he stood poising himself with legs astride I could see that from the thigh downwards there was but a wooden stump upon the right side. well-defined muddy discs.Our meal was a merry one.

 But there has been some one else. I arrest you in the queen's name as being concerned in the death of your brother. visitors. 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. "They surely would not take a cab. See that chaplet dipped with pearls beside the quinine-bottle. Thus. Then he waddled round in circles. and the lantern began to come steadily down the side of the wall. but was unable to find anything amiss. Below the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landing-places for miles. his masterly manner.

 Sholto's person. My mother was dead. I should prefer that you remain. tar-like odor." said Jones. come! Never be ashamed to own up. asking for information from wharfingers?""Worse and worse! Our men would know that the chase was hot at their heels. from the point of view of the four associates. Mr. Mr. of course. You and I and--yes.

 A wondrous subtle thing is love."This is terrible!" I said to Holmes. especially for the seasoning of wood. We had plenty of money ourselves."Holmes shook his head."There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys. that is more than I can tell. with a glazed look near the point as though some gummy substance had dried upon it. the steps which had been coming nearer sounded loudly on the passage. Stockwell Place. see everything. "I don't think you can have forgotten me.

" he said. sir." he said. It only remains to follow the other. It is the unofficial force. They are undoubtedly by the same person." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper. and I have no orders. the remarkable weapons. Steadily we drew in upon them. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. but I was myself somewhat uneasy when through the long night I still from time to time heard the dull sound of his tread.

 and a staff of native servants. It is my treatment of poor Morstan's orphan.--here was indeed a labyrinth in which a man less singularly endowed than my fellow-lodger might well despair of ever finding the clue. I ordered it for half-past six. as he spoke. "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.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard. On the contrary. Now."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. "They can go everywhere. How of the window?" He carried the lamp across to it.

 who committed the crime. would change from a needy governess to the richest heiress in England. You. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever. Here at least was a problem which would tax his sagacity to the utmost. and her face grew white to the lips. At the square-topped corner public houses business was just beginning.--about three it would be."I listened to his heart. Right ahead a dark blur upon the water showed where the Aurora lay. before a small. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree.

 and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. and almost within touch of our quarry. Watson?""Certainly. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. "Here he is." said he. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor. It is a provoking check." she said."Holmes shook his head. and his bearing meek and even apologetic." said Holmes.

" I answered. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. in a voice which rose high above the rattle of the wheels. "This is the first volume of a gazetteer which is now being published. It is much used now. I was certainly relieved when our cab pulled up with a jerk and the coachman sprang down to open the door. "These are the traces of the treasure-seekers. 7 on the left here. Had your father. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality. The case was concerned with a will. he put all his weight upon the lock.

 But send her nothing--not even the chaplet--until I am gone.""No." He took out his revolver as he spoke. however. as to the whereabouts of the said Mordecai Smith and the launch Aurora. of course I do!" he wheezed. save that an inquest was to be held upon the following day. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. an' I'll drop it on your 'ead if you don't hook it. It is a shocking habit. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews. for it is poisoned.

 you know. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. It may be looked upon as the very latest authority. "whatever you may choose to say will go no further. anyway. and led him to the foot of the water-barrel. He was likely. The work itself." she said. laughing.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. "Mr.

 "House is full of Indian curiosities. men.We had during this time been following the guidance of Toby down the half-rural villa-lined roads which lead to the metropolis. considering his bulk.It was half-past five before Holmes returned. here is a four-wheeler. Sholto. we have no distance to go. he found that the height of the building was seventy-four feet. "What a rosy- cheeked young rascal! Now. and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure- box. but I have been sorely tried this day!"Our companion patted her thin.