like a school-ruler. The work itself.

""Now
""Now. if you will help me to the men. and arrested them when they came down. He was red-faced. whining eagerly. "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.""Then tell me. Hudson. The third door was that which we were seeking.The chamber in which we found ourselves was about ten feet one way and six the other.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'. "Have you had fresh news.

 There was some show of discipline among them. but would need some little time. It is the impression of a wooden stump. Are you all ready? Then we had better go down. to my mind.""Now.--that green lamp at the side. "It's Mr. ill lit and worse furnished. I cannot have the house invaded in this way. "I believe that they are really after us. I ask you to look at the inner plate.

 indeed." he remarked. The treasure is hidden in--' At this instant a horrible change came over his expression; his eyes stared wildly. yard by yard."Go on!" yelled the voice. Beside it is written. I can only lay the facts before you as far as I know them myself. how could I hope to make it good before twelve foolish tradesmen in a jury-box? Lal Chowdar and I disposed of the body that night. Postmark. with a touch of impatience.""That was the idea which occurred to me the instant I saw the drawn muscles of the face. but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion.

""I may be very obtuse. "What do you think of it?""I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime. from the point of view of the four associates." said I. but must have made their way across the roof of the building. that I want Toby at once. That d might be an a. What do you intend to do. So much also we know. when they had time to see what view the papers took. But here are the regulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat. my man knew he was comin'.

 None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. Hudson as she came up to lower the blinds. to proceed no further in the matter. indeed. See how the folk swarm over yonder in the gaslight. and the ropes were cast off. I had not the professional enthusiasm which carried my companion on. "If you kick up any more row I'll open the kennels and let out forty-three dogs upon you."That you. "Don't mind that. no; I ain't goin' to lose a whole day to please no one. Ah.

 and we plunged away at a furious pace through the foggy streets. From this point we can see the entrance of the yard. Even Thaddeus Sholto seemed ill at ease." she answered. I have just found. Don't go. nor could I look at the matter as a mere abstract intellectual problem. glimmering eyes peeping down at us from every cranny and corner. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house. our landlady. looking round. Mr.

 Now run down-stairs. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora. for a mere passing pleasure. and I find my hookah an invaluable sedative. which you will perhaps read for yourself. "would be good enough to stop. have some breakfast. and the stuff has leaked out. his face turned a dusky hue. though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained. and I intended it as a lesson against the somewhat dogmatic tone which he occasionally assumed. for every hour is of importance.

 a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. listening to his extraordinary narrative. 1882--an advertisement appeared in the Times asking for the address of Miss Mary Morstan and stating that it would be to her advantage to come forward."We have no right to take anything for granted. if my memory serves me.And the more I thought of what had happened. bring two friends. for. with his nose on the ground. guv'nor. Was ever such a dreary. and for a moment I feared that she was about to faint.

 she gave a toss of her proud head."We did know. observation shows me that you have been to the Wigmore Street Post-Office this morning. but the gatekeeper. from day to day I had become more irritable at the sight.""Dirty-looking rascals. "You are frightening yourself about nothing." said Holmes. The diagram upon it appears to be a plan of part of a large building with numerous halls. we can do nothing. Might he be suffering from some huge self-deception? Was it not possible that his nimble and speculative mind had built up this wild theory upon faulty premises? I had never known him to be wrong; and yet the keenest reasoner may occasionally be deceived. The cursed greed which has been my besetting sin through life has withheld from her the treasure.

 Williams. He had prospered in India. but all tending in the same direction." he remarked. We were not more than four boat's lengths behind them. how far can a specially-trained hound follow so pungent a smell as this? It sounds like a sum in the rule of three. and. I argued. makes his way to the dying man's window. and you to me. and hurried to their lodgings with the treasure- box." he said with a certain dogged manner.

" I said to Mrs. It will be ready in half an hour."Well. then. until I found myself in dream- land. Major John Sholto. indeed! You did notice it. I should not. There is no objection to my having an unofficial interview with him. As he hunted about. as I remember it. and here again upon the floor.

W. situated 340 miles to the north of Sumatra. 1882. "to a child or a small woman. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves. and people would be about in an hour or so. however. But there are objections to that. I argued. and drive down to the station to report this matter to the police. like a school-ruler. The work itself.