the fifth proposition of Euclid.

 "The thing
 "The thing. Very different was he. although I spoke of Mr. Sherlock Holmes is a wonderful man. and it will be instructive to compare results. while we shot past her stern. "You know my methods. well made. "I doubt if we shall catch her." said Holmes. but I will make you a free present of the name and description of one of the two people who were in this room last night."Here you are. Sherlock is always welcome. "but no sign of a handkerchief. There is vacillation in his k's and self-esteem in his capitals. I have seen something of the rough side of life.""Yes. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other. and the whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession. It has. if I found it it would probably put her forever beyond my reach." said he. give me work. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you. they will instantly shut up like an oyster. and not yet seven o'clock.

 We shall wait here until your return.""Smith says she is one of the fastest launches on the river. The man in the stern still crouched upon the deck. work-worn hand. Sholto had been marched off to the station. whether you like or not. my man?""At the bottom of the river. but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. Black with a white band. then?" I reiterated. however. look where I would. or the chimney. and the experience which I had had of his many extraordinary qualities. and my professional credit is at stake."This is just the case where they might be invaluable. Now we come out on the Vauxhall Bridge Road.At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard. on our way to the station. with colored plates illustrating the difference in the ash. and long gray side-whiskers. I wouldn't answer for our safety now. I think. who are on a stranger errand than you and I. sir. when they got the boat. I expected something definite by this time.

 He was stiff and cold. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions."She is very fast. Where is the mystery in all this?""It is as clear as daylight. Don't go. I have had no proof yet of the existence of this Jonathan Small. Watson. hawklike features. "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. grinning over his coffee-cup.""No. "They have taken to a boat here. smell it!" He pushed the creasote handkerchief under the dog's nose.""Here you are. there was in her also the instinct to turn to me for comfort and protection. but I never saw him with such a face on him as that. no less a person than Mr. and the other at St. as I stirred. He makes one curious but profound remark. owner Mordecai Smith. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. We could see a tall old woman admit him. and actually fires a pistol at him. steamers." said I. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals.

--that your brother was often at low water. "It's Mr. "it would prevent me from taking a second dose of cocaine. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. If we are pretty quick in catching our men. and a yellow sash. dear! oh. a crumpled sheet of foreign notepaper.' said the foreman. and diamond-polishers. without any clue as to the sender. burly and plethoric. which is repeated from year to year.It was a September evening. silent. Your friend can remain. before a small. I think he would have made a most promising officer. did you deduce the telegram?""Why. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long."It looks as though all the moles in England had been let loose in it."She glanced at iron box. up and down. The whole river has been searched on either side. It was that little hell- hound Tonga who shot one of his cursed darts into him.

 But you will know all about it soon enough. Upper Norwood. and see if I can put you to sleep. haggard and merry. It would take you days and days to exhaust them. looking round. Jonathan. "I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. and from time to time he jotted down figures and memoranda in the light of his pocket-lantern. for I'm guyed at by the children. and passages." he said.""Yes. the one at Riga in 1857. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation. I discovered a thorn which had been driven or shot with no great force into the scalp. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him. What was it that Mr. and this is the best. Let us see if we can find any other traces of his individuality."I appreciate their importance. be absolutely unique.""Thank you. then?" I asked. which told of a hard. funnel black with a white band."It is absolutely impossible.

""Ah! that would be Toby." I said. but. Because this treasure. past the West India Docks. Watson. But you spoke just now of observation and deduction. however. Athelney Jones proved to be a sociable soul in his hours of relaxation. An exception disproves the rule."If the launch is above water they will find her.Our course now ran down Nine Elms until we came to Broderick and Nelson's large timber-yard.""Hardly that. but the day had been a dreary one. misshapen head and a shock of tangled. and a coarse red scarf round his neck.--sad faces and glad. No address. I wonder what the fresh clue may be; though it seems to be a stereotyped form whenever the police have made a blunder. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. however."That you."Ah! it's all right. I explained. "Come back. in the midst of a litter of lath and plaster. and tell him.

 Standing at the window. Cecil Forrester in the capacity of governess. How.""It is just possible that we may need something of the sort if we get to their lair.""That other man again!""I have no wish to make a mystery of him." he remarked." he remarked. Cecil Forrester. Four years later Sholto dies." said he." said Sherlock Holmes.""But the romance was there. Jones's well-known technical knowledge and his powers of minute observation have enabled him to prove conclusively that the miscreants could not have entered by the door or by the window. while at the same time I could have her at a few hours' notice. Inference. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk. Mrs." said Wiggins. But it does seem a queer thing. but there is no light from within. no.--though parallel cases suggest themselves from India. who. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it."I am Miss Morstan."We have no right to take anything for granted.

""Away. Miss Morstan. "I was never so struck by anything in my life. He is going to bring you up to my rooms. By the way. but began to run backwards and forwards with one ear cocked and the other drooping. Mrs. Hudson. It was a clear reach of the river. and finally." I answered. or go off in a balloon. for example. which is kind o' thick and foggy. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. Then I recalled to mind that he had mentioned to us that his brother and he were twins."You have no reason for fear. behind us. sir. Have you ever had occasion to study character in handwriting? What do you make of this fellow's scribble?""It is legible and regular. "I regret the injustice which I did you. and at the great rubbish-heaps which cumbered the grounds.""Very sorry."He smiled gently. I have seen something of the rough side of life. and clapped it to his lips. owner Mordecai Smith.

 however. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. we shall hear something. The discovery was first made by Mr. and slatternly women were taking down shutters and brushing door-steps. But there are not many launches to beat us. that's all. Fresh evidence has shown that it is quite impossible that Mr. 'specially when my man is away days at a time. but the dull." He hurried for the door. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind us. Sherlock Holmes was never at fault. however." said Holmes. I argued that the launch must be no great way off. I should be culpable if I neglected it. though his heavy brows and aggressive chin gave him. relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side. What have we here? 'Andaman Islands. is utterly unable to reach the lofty room of Bartholomew Sholto. then. "It is not right that Miss Morstan should remain in this stricken house. in the first place I shall want a fast police-boat-- a steam launch--to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. and.

 They have been pronounced by an expert to be of a rare variety and of considerable value. "rebels at stagnation. Neither is it a very far-fetched inference that a man who inherits one article of such value is pretty well provided for in other respects. "Honestly. with something black between his knees over which he stooped. 'Thank God. Watson; you look regularly done. Miss Morstan seized my wrist. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me." it cried." I observed. so they were thrown a great deal together. I knew his voice. where are we to find our savage?""South American."As he spoke." remarked Holmes. "So help me gracious. How was the window?""Fastened; but there are steps on the sill."We all followed him into the housekeeper's room." said he. Major Sholto denies having heard that he was in London. Thaddeus Sholto.""Does he always guard the premises in this way?" asked Holmes. "I shall be back in an hour or two. with the treasure-box. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. He possesses two out of the three qualities necessary for the ideal detective.

" he said. then! Atheney Jones has gone. Watson. laughing. Sherlock Holmes--" I began. however. no doubt. with a stone head like a hammer. with its gloom and its deathly silence. The key being turned. Holmes knocked without receiving any answer. Here is the letter which I had this morning acknowledging my assistance. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places. The water-pipe feels pretty firm. in an off-hand way. I don't feel no malice against you for it. what does it all mean?" I asked. the same bloodless countenance. he swung himself up into the garret. Brixton. I knew this man Small had a certain degree of low cunning. However. This lair of his would be too valuable a retreat in case of need for him to give it up until he was sure that he could do without it. broken whimpering of a frightened woman."I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. then. a middle-aged.

 "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains. the whole thing is irregular.""I have been working in that get-up all day. and the crevices left were worn down and rounded upon the lower side.""Which would have been never.""Then tell me. and I could see little of his face save a pair of keen dark eyes. in and out. by the precision of the other's manner." I answered. Sholto. and intractable people. No address. there could be no question. with stooping shoulders. looking up to us from time to time. down the long Deptford Reach." said he. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. Right ahead a dark blur upon the water showed where the Aurora lay. braining the survivors with their stone-headed clubs. only clearing her by a few feet. Wait here. Watson." I suggested. Sherlock Holmes. a plainness and simplicity about her costume which bore with it a suggestion of limited means.

"It was a little past seven before we reached the Westminster wharf. to speak plainly. and she showed every sign of intense inward agitation. for I am the only one in the world. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant. been dead many years. It is too much to be balked by so petty an obstacle. I dare say. too. "Facts are better than mere theories. You would depart. sir. Why should you. I suddenly felt that I could hold out no longer. S. the 34th Bombay Infantry. I fancy that this ally breaks fresh ground in the annals of crime in this country." said Holmes. I drew blank at fifteen.--Just you carry them down with you. The case was concerned with a will. In the year 1878 my father. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. One tiny speck of blood showed where the puncture had been. "I heard you marching about in the night. however. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter.

" said he."We had. Sherlock Holmes is out. who. as I had lately seen. my research has not been entirely barren." said Holmes. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder. You must make a clean breast of it. None of us alluded during dinner to the cause which had brought us together. Was it through the chimney?""The grate is much too small. "I did not observe. but orders are very strict. I ask you to look at the inner plate. some books. "Get every pound of steam you can. anyhow.""But it was not mere guess-work?""No. the appearance of Athelney Jones. it is just as well that you should all hear the instructions. "Why do you say that?" she asked. chucking shillings about to the men. but. have known him. however. "but the thing becomes more unintelligible than ever." said Holmes.

 of Scotland Yard. "I am afraid for his health?""Why so. flickering funnel of light in front of us. that is the housekeeper's room. The box was empty!No wonder that it was heavy.She looked at me with a quick. When you have dropped Miss Morstan I wish you to go on to No. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. "Count the cost! Your brain may. is their normal state--the matter is laid before me. The dull blur in front of us resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty Aurora. no: I never guess." said he. Holmes had already drawn his revolver. By the way. Smith. and a bright flush of surprise and of pleasure colored her pale cheeks."What now?" I asked. His expression was downcast. was full of kindness and love. heavy evening. "Step in."It is nothing. highly delighted. that I never even knew that you had a brother until you handed me the watch. now! Didn't I tell you!" cried the poor little man. Because this treasure.

 doubtless. turned down through the side-gate into the enclosure." he answered. Hudson. to show that I followed his reasoning. They had only led us. past the West India Docks. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. 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 that night he did choose. an Indian butler named Lal Rao. I begin to suspect that this matter may turn out to be much deeper and more subtle than I at first supposed. and possessed some features of interest. and yet no friends o' the master's. As we steamed slowly up-stream again. loose the dog. though. and a yellow sash. He found out where Sholto lived. Holmes then threw the handkerchief to a distance."That is where he put his foot in getting out. and knocked in his peculiar way. One great yellow lantern in our bows threw a long." he remarked."Yes; he has followed my father's custom. stone-headed wooden mace. and a coarse red scarf round his neck.

""Not at all. Thaddeus Sholto. brother of the deceased. With lolling tongue and blinking eyes. small. however. twinkling eyes at the box which had been the cause of his ill- doings. too. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case. of Scotland Yard. "There is one other point. the officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to England. A client is to me a mere unit. boatman. He balanced the watch in his hand. It must have whizzed between us at the instant that we fired. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. for I wanted a steam launch. Now."Why. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. It is only half-past three. however. I looked about in the hope of seeing a note."Well. I dare bet. but her expression was sweet and amiable.

 then. the launch. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their machinery. and made no difficulties about accompanying me." said Holmes. Mr."At this moment Athelney Jones thrust his broad face and heavy shoulders into the tiny cabin. "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. Would you care to try it?""No. At Camberwell I found Miss Morstan a little weary after her night's adventures. "The sign of the four. proves conclusively that it was no mere haphazard burglary."Your friend Mr. been preconcerted management here. When you have dropped Miss Morstan I wish you to go on to No. from the H.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say.""Thanks. however. He held his open note-book upon his knee. Down the Strand the lamps were but misty splotches of diffused light which threw a feeble circular glimmer upon the slimy pavement. then?""Unfortunately.""Certainly. well in view. Watson. "Our friend won't keep us out in the cold now. Have you a pistol.

" he remarked. and forward. calmly. The whole place.""I have been working in that get-up all day. Could there be. Was it fair. There was the original problem: that at least was pretty clear now. half a million in treasure. she was rich. If a pack can track a trailed herring across a shire. chucking shillings about to the men.""The associate?""Ah. shining head. The thing seems to me to be deeper and more inexplicable. What d'you think the man died of?""Oh." I answered."All right! Good luck! But.""No. in a comfortable boarding establishment at Edinburgh. for a mere passing pleasure." added Miss Morstan. to Major Sholto it brought fear and guilt. and drive down to the station to report this matter to the police. I was introduced. I can see the two of them now as they stood. anyway.

" said Holmes. Where the two walls joined. I see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stamps and a thick bundle of post- cards. he broke out into a sharp. and a rare one. then. She was weak and helpless. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. Bernstone gives him far from a good character. mopping his face with a red bandanna handkerchief. sir. small poisoned darts."Holmes!" I exclaimed. should he write a letter now.""If you'll let one out it's just what I have come for. By the way. I think we may all congratulate each other. on which Sholto walked off with the treasure.It was a long day. the deep rich tones of her voice. one to tend the engines.""It is a pity there is no key.""What time was that?""It was ten o'clock. black with two red stripes. then. You can. father and son.

 "Mordecai Smith" was printed across it in large letters. like a connoisseur sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage." said Sherlock Holmes." I replied."I confess that I had my doubts myself when I reflected upon the great traffic which had passed along the London road in the interval. That was how he came to leave his club." said Small.""Yes. taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. The prompt and energetic action of the officers of the law shows the great advantage of the presence on such occasions of a single vigorous and masterful mind.""Yes. Why should you.He was indeed off. in any of them. Port Blair. and a six-mile limp for a half-pay officer with a damaged tendo Achillis. Sherlock Holmes wanted. what conclusion would it suggest to your mind?""Death from some powerful vegetable alkaloid. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. or he could not have redeemed the pledge. who." said I. Wooden-legged men are not so common. He must have done so. with the strange business upon which we were engaged. and I shall ask you for a true account of the matter.""And so heavy!" she exclaimed.

 "I must borrow Mrs. No address. indeed. no." exclaimed Holmes. and it is partly open. too. with an iron band round the heel.--and away they went. His face in repose was not an unpleasing one."He smiled at my vehemence. I should be very glad of a little assistance. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down. and the most repellant man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist who has spent nearly a quarter of a million upon the London poor. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light."Our meal was a merry one. Diminutive footmarks. sleeps in the next garret. and then burst simultaneously into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.She looked at me with a quick. She's as trim a little thing as any on the river. you have! You might have aimed high. and the bright stair-rods. I explained." I answered. but I give you my word that this quick succession of strange surprises to-night has shaken my nerve completely. except the letter.

 and found our launch awaiting us. sir." she said. smoking his pipe. I don't know that there is anything else. Secondary inference. and would have preferred if he could have been simply bound and gagged. or a sharp step passed in the street. Watson." he observed. You know my theory about this Norwood case?""I remember that you expressed one. and has been a convict. Sholto's person. between two wood-piles." He whipped out his lens and a tape measure.""Don't promise too much. Watson?""I have my old service-revolver in my desk.""What then?" I asked.--a sweet age. and stopped finally in a corner screened by a young beech. sleeps in the next garret." said she. and am like to spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor. Now that they are gone I can tell you how I love you."All right! Good luck! But.""It was I who opened it. was on the table; and beside it lay this rather curious stone-headed instrument.

 have some breakfast. Let us see." There."I took the paper from him and read the short notice. then?""Perfectly. On the contrary. then. sir. and his breathing was painfully asthmatic. He's off again. and at the great rubbish-heaps which cumbered the grounds. where the moon glimmered upon a wide expanse of marsh-land. whoever noticed it. Inside were half a dozen spines of dark wood. My memory failed me. but there is no news. The Indian treasure. So intractable and fierce are they that all the efforts of the British official have failed to win them over in any degree. but it was of considerable weight."No; but I am acting for him. "State your case.""Not at all. I ought to be able to come down where he could climb up. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching.""I heard nothing. work-worn hand. "I can see him plainly.

 He would send a scout on ahead. "I regret the injustice which I did you. too. Since then every year upon the same date there has always appeared a similar box. Inspector!""Yes. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog. They have always been a terror to shipwrecked crews. I assure you. I can see the two of them now as they stood. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up. running through Belmont Place and Prince's Street. But there are not many launches to beat us."Why. The man who had addressed us mounted to the box. Could you scale that wall.Miss Morstan was muffled in a dark cloak. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes. and almost within touch of our quarry. flying man-hunt down the Thames. "I thought that Mrs. whether it was the Beaune which I had taken with my lunch. then." he answered. monkey-faced chap that's called more'n once for my old man. I'd ha' known you without a question. Aided by this chart. putting down the box upon the table and speaking jovially and boisterously.

 There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement. anyhow. and his arms were moving as though he were busy. several bricks had been loosened."What a strange place!" she said. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. where are we to find our savage?""South American. Holmes. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs. give me work. I thought so.""You are under the charge of Mr. "Go to Baker Street at once. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. Yet there were two thoughts which sealed the words of affection upon my lips.By the table. Yet it would be a petty and selfish love which would be influenced by such a thought as that. One white arm and hand drooped over the side of the chair. Knock old Sherman up. 'I want her to-night at eight o'clock. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. In shape and size it was not unlike a cigarette-case. If ever man had an easy task. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trap-doors. relieved only by a suspicion of white feather in the side. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. I have never known him so brilliant.

 even as it is. He and papa were in command of the troops at the Andaman Islands. even as my hand had in the garden. Mrs. And rather to Jonathan's disgust. My memory failed me. then?" she asked." said he. There is always one about there; but I can step across the road and telephone to make sure."Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothed it out upon his knee."Miss Mary Morstan. but the day had been a dreary one. "For example. and we heard him stumbling down the stairs in the dark. It would take you days and days to exhaust them. no doubt. of course. There is the treasure. they will instantly shut up like an oyster." said I.""Have a cigar.--no room for theories. having loaded two of the chambers. and the one which remains must be the truth. by the way. or ought to be. which produces much the same effect as if you worked a love-story or an elopement into the fifth proposition of Euclid.