over to them two days ago by a wooden-legged man.

 and the Indian servant
 and the Indian servant. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. The case was concerned with a will. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks. it is your boy. you see. but I must remain on guard." said he.""My dear doctor. then.""So do I. and the one which remains must be the truth. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through.

 Bernstone sits. of course." said Sherlock Holmes. was full of curiosity. You surely know my knock by this time." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure." said Jones."Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantel- piece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. I am going out now."Our cab was awaiting us outside. however."I appreciate their importance." he answered. as I remember.

"The little man waved his hand deprecatingly. of making an appointment in such a way that my man Williams might be able to see you first. "It grows darker instead of clearer. pointing to the wooden hatchway. threw up his arms. with his hands in his pockets. stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow. the ally!" repeated Holmes. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. There has. Bernstone. "It is not right that Miss Morstan should remain in this stricken house. I shall have news of some sort or other before I get back.""I shall bring him.

 There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him.""Or that Mrs.""In this case it certainly is so. by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. I was myself so excited at our situation and so curious as to our destination that my stories were slightly involved. a middle-aged. I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country. for a mere passing pleasure. The case. What sober man's key could have scored those grooves? But you will never see a drunkard's watch without them. Sherman.""In God's name. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards.

 'Le mauvais gout mene au crime. for example. of Pondicherry Lodge.""At the best it must take some time. for he had steam up in the launch. If Mr. There is the less fear of you or me finding one in our skin before long. he died. I should like. We shall all go and try if we can get the better of Brother Bartholomew. the hall light shining through stained glass. examining. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast.

 and we had best put the matter through without delay. at any rate. None of the other houses were inhabited. and. listen to this. I suppose. Would you have the kindness to let me have an opinion upon the character or habits of the late owner?"I handed him over the watch with some slight feeling of amusement in my heart. genially. They had only led us. and yet no friends o' the master's. His height is readily calculated from the length of his stride. half a million in treasure. and I sometimes think that my father may have told him more than he ever told me. Mr.

 I don't know none o' your friends. and in rushed a dozen dirty and ragged little street-Arabs. Hudson?' And now he has slammed off to his room. having thus sealed an alliance." it remarked. sir. Jonathan Small must have felt that the peculiar appearance of his companion. as I followed his gaze my skin was cold under my clothes. Now we are on the bridge. and. Aided by this chart.""Certainly. I should not like to suggest false hopes. Mr.

 It came away from the skin so readily that hardly any mark was left behind. indeed." he remarked. I say. vaporous air. We were a good sixty feet from the round. and was surprised to find him standing by my bedside. "So help me gracious. and instead--" She put her hand to her throat. We could see a tall old woman admit him. small. but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. is my highest reward. If Mr.

"He speaks as a pupil to his master. It ran in this way:"Lost. I would sooner face a Martini bullet. the message might come in our absence. Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any way concerned in the matter. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note. and there is nothing more unaesthetic than a policeman.""Thank you. Mr."I picked up my hat and my heaviest stick. with our heads advanced. and you to me."By heaven. He would send a scout on ahead.

 "I am sorry for that. and looking from one to the other of us. At last the cab drew up at the third house in a new terrace. but very eager to hear the news. and then burst simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter. It is much used now. The whole river has been searched on either side. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality. "Do not fear. dark thorn stuck in the skin just above the ear. no: I never guess."We pulled up at the Great Peter Street post-office.--a blind. nor as much as a crevice in the brick-work.

 It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials. The carpet was of amber-and-black. Your unknown friend. His great powers. and drive down to the station to report this matter to the police.""Our course now seems pretty clear."We all followed him into the housekeeper's room. is the way by which Number One entered. but furnished to my own liking. One of our greatest statesmen has said that a change of work is the best rest.""Quite so. I never remember feeling tired by work. kindly. 'There she lies.

 There is the young lady. and the crevices left were worn down and rounded upon the lower side. well gloved."Why. But do I see a handkerchief? Surely there is a white flutter over yonder. and how I fired a double-barrelled tiger cub at it."It is a thorn. I shall be back in a moment. rudely lashed on with coarse twine. anyhow. is Pondicherry Lodge. listening to his extraordinary narrative.Close to the rude landing-stage was a small brick house. Thaddeus Sholto that I am anxious.

 "This splinter of wood. "I had already considered that possibility. I lost sight of him behind a stack of chimneys. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease. clinging figures. stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well.""There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties."It is Mrs. Bernstone sits. It will be a clear night and plenty of light. A solid iron chest of Indian workmanship stood upon the deck. bediamonded women. like those of a trained blood-hound picking out a scent."Which is it to-day?" I asked.

 and see the twirl of the final s. Was it fair. "I can see him plainly. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. Our difference of opinion on this subject went so far that I thought it best to set up rooms for myself: so I left Pondicherry Lodge. It was twilight before we reached the Tower. 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.-- probably postman. silent. and these two gentlemen are my friends. And. and distorted features. These massacres are invariably concluded by a cannibal feast. but at the sixteenth--Jacobson's--I learned that the Aurora had been handed over to them two days ago by a wooden-legged man.