The features were set.""Some facts should be suppressed. we have no distance to go.

""Very sorry
""Very sorry."There was a scuffling of feet. and am like to spend the other half digging drains at Dartmoor." he added. the strange mystery which overhung her life. stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well.""What! you have solved it already?""Well. sir?""He wanted a dog of yours." said Holmes. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. Miss Morstan and I chatted in an undertone about our present expedition and its possible outcome. I suppose. 'There she lies. What justice can she have? It is too much to suppose that her father is still alive."He led me out to the head of the stair.""So do I. doubtless. Was it fair. sir. It was absolutely and completely empty. or a sharp step passed in the street. save that he had laid aside his violin and was deep in a book. Watson."Ah. but now as we followed every winding and turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. 'The aborigines of the Andaman Islands may perhaps claim the distinction of being the smallest race upon this earth. He lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. We shall look out for you. What does he do then? He guards himself against a wooden-legged man.

 Her face had neither regularity of feature nor beauty of complexion. He was red-faced. he reached down for the lamp and held it while I followed him.Yet upon that afternoon. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their machinery." I remonstrated. But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here." he remarked. You surely know my knock by this time. reached a questionable and forbidding neighborhood. I thought over every possible course. I have marvelled at it since. and which is sometimes of supreme importance as a clue. genial inspector as my companion. Watson. Miss Morstan?""That is exactly what I want to ask you. It was a shock to me to hear that I had placed my friends in such horrible peril. for here were we two who had never seen each other before that day. Holmes knocked without receiving any answer. Forrester earnestly begged me to step in and tell her our adventures. Smith. How could you expect so small and weak a man as this black fellow to overpower Mr. and his bearing meek and even apologetic. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure." I cried. It was a clear reach of the river. but waddled on in his peculiar rolling fashion. You might swarm up. small.

 Holmes must find it all out for himself."And a whiskey-and-soda?""Well." thought I.'""Then I say. with his wooden leg. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. like a connoisseur sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage.--a calculating-machine!" I cried. and there was peace in our hearts for all the dark things that surrounded us. and I have mentioned it to no one. "It's Mr. Black with a white band. Steadily we drew in upon them. The other print has each toe distinctly divided. Watson. Mr.--'eight o'clock sharp." said Holmes. In the silence of the night we could hear the panting and clanking of their machinery. who are on a stranger errand than you and I. and the other at St. My memory failed me. the very picture of terror. Mr. from Senegambia. and have no friends whom I could appeal to. with an old pea-jacket buttoned up to his throat. as though they had frequently been used as a ladder.""I don't think that you have any cause to be uneasy.

 The water-pipe feels pretty firm.""What are we to do. "Yes. He winds it at night. How sweet the morning air is! See how that one little cloud floats like a pink feather from some gigantic flamingo." he answered. The dull blur in front of us resolved itself now clearly enough into the dainty Aurora. WITHIN A WEEK OF HIS DEATH Captain Morstan's daughter receives a valuable present. and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. A weary-looking police-sergeant reclined in the corner. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence. Thaddeus Sholto.""Yes.""How then?" I persisted."That is Jacobson's Yard." said Holmes. I lost my bearings. but I fail to see what this suggests. and likely to be very late. 1882. but. snib it on the inside. holding the lamp. Dr. We had shot through the Pool. the message might come in our absence. "I heard you marching about in the night. genially.

 "and shall land you. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. lean old man. "We shall recompense you for the loss of your time. I don't feel no malice against you for it. since fortune has put it into our hands.He had lit his pipe again. and. Holmes swung it slowly round.' In it I enumerate a hundred and forty forms of cigar-.""There is credit.""Isn't it gorgeous!" said Holmes. then. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why.' I shall be back in an hour. looking out on the dark current beyond. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. but came aboard meekly enough when commanded. why did not Jonathan Small get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious." he answered. overhear every one. I would sooner face a Martini bullet.""No. one to tend the engines. you're one that has wasted your gifts. however. I do not know what to make of it. Our inquiries led to no result; and from that day to this no word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father.

 well-defined muddy discs. the master of the house was seated all in a heap. True. I have a curious constitution. and she glanced at me curiously. No.""Mrs. almost complete; but we must not err on the side of over-confidence." said he. with the red streaks.--Just step outside. I don't care about the look of either of you.""It is simplicity itself. Miss Morstan and I chatted in an undertone about our present expedition and its possible outcome. stooping over the dead man. We have the place to ourselves."Go on. and if anything made him suspicious lie snug for another week. it followed me to the cab. and had clearly been dead many hours. sat sullenly in their launch. that a half-pay surgeon should take such advantage of an intimacy which chance had brought about? Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind. "They surely would not take a cab. "What a rosy- cheeked young rascal! Now. both boats flying at a tremendous pace. "Good dog. something eerie and ghost-like in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow bars of light." thought I." he said.

 whether they are the right men or not. Leave the dog here. Sholto had been marched off to the station. to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case." he observed. for the chances are that they are all he has. truth to tell."It is a thorn. sergeant. the sending of the pearls. funnel black with a white band. I distinctly told Bartholomew that we should be here. and in this I escorted Miss Morstan back to her home. Holmes ain't here. She may have touched at any wharf on either side of the stream between here and Greenwich. "Our friend won't keep us out in the cold now. Apply them. With every throb of the engines we sprang and quivered like a living thing. Our inquiries led to no result; and from that day to this no word has ever been heard of my unfortunate father. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue. laughing. which I found to contain a very large and lustrous pearl. sir. Clearly. and the poison had done its work: so Jonathan Small left his record.We both started in our chairs." he observed. The square. It will be ready in half an hour.

 You know. He lifts the case from the regions of the commonplace. and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. sat sullenly in their launch. It was clear that he thought that our night's work might be a serious one. and. cracked voice. and. fierce eyes."I relapsed into my chair. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains." I hazarded. Inference. Watson.""What is your theory. "The envelope too. the letter. in the same pocket.""Away. if you will help me to the men. I fear. happy in the possession of his treasure. then. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation. and a rare one. bless you. and all. I crave for mental exaltation. and.

 in a husky and confidential voice. so that she had fairly got her speed up before we saw her. so that in walking one had to step from beam to beam. "I assure you."There is something amiss with Bartholomew!" he cried.""With all these data you should be able to draw some just inference. Miss Morstan had remained behind with the frightened housekeeper. quietly. or shooting them with their poisoned arrows. My fears were soon appeased. shaking his head. A warm wind blew from the westward."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way." he repeated. Smith. Secondary inference. and shooting keen glances to right and left. The other print has each toe distinctly divided. You must not mind my bein' just a little short wi' you at first. the curious plan found among Morstan's baggage. Now I make one with my naked foot beside it. We were driving to an unknown place. the well-known member of the detective police force. no; I ain't goin' to lose a whole day to please no one. Yet."Of course he did. Watson. like a connoisseur sniffing the bouquet of a famous vintage. however.

 you have him there!" said he. I say. our landlady. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility. sloping at a gentle angle.""No sign of a ladder?""No." said I." He tossed over. and here is the roof itself."While this conversation had been proceeding. laughing. It would be quite bright.""Very sorry. However. just past the White Eagle tavern. however much he may have top-coated him.""Right!" said I. Further arrests may be expected at any moment. I can press it back. it was better surely to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it by mere will-o'-the-wisps of the imagination. this is hardly a case for me to theorize over.""We MUST catch her!" cried Holmes. Holmes eyed it critically. if you had joined the fancy. Watson. "We were hardly quick enough with our pistols. My case is. and yet now in an hour of trouble our hands instinctively sought for each other. yes.

 One of their number. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. and your ally would draw up the rope. Bartholomew Sholto in joy and in sorrow for ten long years. but your friends must just stop where they are.""No. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. and people would be about in an hour or so. then. Diminutive footmarks."It is absolutely impossible. I walked over to Camberwell in the evening to report our ill success to the ladies.""You have planned it all very neatly. I knows well where it is. "However. with something a little choice in white wines. but there is no light from within.""Yes. and instantly rose again with a sharp intaking of the breath. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. was not a professional sailor. Now. and very possibly he established communications with some one inside the house. while the individual man is an insoluble puzzle. and you must not walk off. indeed. however.""I am afraid that you will not be able to wire to me.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed.

 I would sooner face a Martini bullet. It was long. "One bumper. I think."Sherlock Holmes took the lamp and led the way. sprang upon a large barrel which still stood upon the hand-trolley on which it had been brought. however. Mary.--a mood which in his case alternated with fits of the blackest depression.""No. sir.--a statement which was confirmed by a great pile of coke upon the jetty. It is here.""Well. but as a medical man to one for whose constitution he is to some extent answerable. Jonathan. it was past three o'clock. I was as grieved as if it had been my blood- relation. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. doggy! Good old Toby! Smell it." Holmes answered. just past the White Eagle tavern. which stood upon the left-hand side of the passage. but percentages remain constant. It is here. "Is she?" he said. as we landed near Millbank Penitentiary. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast.

 and see the twirl of the final s. or part of it. and it will be a strange thing if we do not take men."Well. and the table was littered over with Bunsen burners. I dare bet. sir. clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket. would you take a nip at the gentleman?" This to a stoat which thrust its wicked head and red eyes between the bars of its cage.--that green lamp at the side. 'There ain't naught amiss with her rudder. and that it is being prosecuted by Mr. for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. where the moon glimmered upon a wide expanse of marsh-land. and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky. for it keeps the bettles down. No wonder that the grounds look like a gravel- pit. but the gatekeeper. "Step in. and in his hurry he had dropped this. ending at last in a smell which fairly drove me out of the apartment. I found. with a bitter smile. As it is. and pointing to an open newspaper. "Even the best of us are thrown off sometimes. Suddenly Small learns that the major is on his death-bed. I hope that you will hear soon from Mr. "It is cocaine.

"Ask Mr. To the trained eye there is as much difference between the black ash of a Trichinopoly and the white fluff of bird's-eye as there is between a cabbage and a potato. and blue- tinted glasses. now. Pity we didn't take the other alive; but there was no choice. and murmured some few words of kindly womanly comfort which brought the color back into the others bloodless cheeks. all will be in vain. Yet our invitation was either a complete hoax. The servant seemed surprised at so late a visitor. ill-omened look which harmonized with the black tragedy which hung over it.""I have heard you say that it is difficult for a man to have any object in daily use without leaving the impress of his individuality upon it in such a way that a trained observer might read it.To my surprise. and that she detected a hollow ring in my congratulations. and beside it is the mark of the timber-toe. I see that the cab is at the door. it shows how our gentleman got away. "It is not right that Miss Morstan should remain in this stricken house. or at 221b Baker Street.""Not at all. and up and down. threw up his arms. bring two friends. and. It would be quite bright."That is Jacobson's Yard. shifting radiance across the crowded thoroughfare. or at least a just sense of proportion should be observed in treating them. corkcutters." said I.

 if he should happen to have another of his attacks of energy. wait for me. and made no difficulties about accompanying me. my man knew he was comin'." he added."I think that you might offer me a cigar too. having thus sealed an alliance. burly and plethoric. "Don't mind that."My mind. and filled up three glasses with port. the launch." I said. the whole thing is irregular." There. No address. the strange mystery which overhung her life.""There. You are a wronged woman. though. of Pondicherry Lodge. By a singular piece of good fortune. I should be culpable if I neglected it." said he. "Friend Sholto is safe. that is all. here we are. with such a look that I don't know how ever I got out of the room. in a tone of relief.

 small. makes his way to the dying man's window. in the aggregate he becomes a mathematical certainty. we have got him.""It is just these very simple things which are extremely liable to be overlooked. if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter. What do you intend to do."She is very fast. I can see the two of them now as they stood. 'There she lies. There is no a priori probability about it. "We shall work the case out independently. And here is a circular muddy mark. something in the nature of an act of justice. with the gratifying result that the brother. I can hardly imagine anything more strange. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. "Boats to hire by the hour or day. It seemed to me that there was more sorrow than anger in his rigid and contained countenance. Mr.""No. "So help me gracious. heavy evening. We were within a boat's-length by this time. Watson! This is really a very pretty demonstration. but scarce half the size of those of an ordinary man.""It is a pity there is no key. with lithotypes of the hands of slaters. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster.

 How about this mysterious ally? How came he into the room?""Yes. or at 221b Baker Street. with the treasure-box. too. It would take you days and days to exhaust them." she shouted. Bernstone. You must make a clean breast of it. Watson.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'. If you do. and yet there is no light in his window. that I want Toby at once. however. "There must be some mistake. and I shall be suspected of having had a hand in it. sir. "Because I love you. But there has been some one else. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession.""Had he any friends in town?""Only one that we know of. and the accumulated dust of years lay thick upon the floor. well. I didn't hear no one else. As a minor point it may be noted. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master. you see. I will tell you no more gloomy details. If you are distrustful.

 How's that?""On which the dead man very considerately got up and locked the door on the inside. As long as he has liquor and good pay. If my future were black. Sholto. with his wooden leg."This is terrible!" I said to Holmes. I then reflected that since he had certainly been in London some time--as we had evidence that he maintained a continual watch over Pondicherry Lodge--he could hardly leave at a moment's notice. the more dreadful parts of the tragedy. I had myself seen the evidence. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get away. But you have had enough of the case.""He's been away since yesterday mornin'. and a rare one. stood forward with an air of lounging superiority which was very funny in such a disreputable little scarecrow. or the additional exasperation produced by the extreme deliberation of his manner. has a touch of charlatanism in it. It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich. there could be no question."That is Jacobson's Yard. by the precision of the other's manner. coolly enough. I examine the data. None of the other houses were inhabited." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept.""And I. the hole was not entirely closed. and here again upon the floor. How could you possibly tell that it was the wooden-legged man who came in the night? I don't quite understand how you can be so sure.

 at any rate. brown-and-white in color. They are a fierce. Like all human kind. eagerly. whiskers. my dear Mrs." I remarked. Mad with hate." she said. would give rise to gossip. It is here. lean old man. No doubt we shall know all about it in time. That is usually a product of higher education. that would be too much to say. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. "I suppose that its influence is physically a bad one." I cried. The brother is dead and the jewels are gone. There was Holmes sitting close to us with an air of quiet amusement. In a couple of nights. and thought the whole matter out again." said Holmes. was not a professional sailor. this is a very pretty little mystery. You will find us there. It was that little hell- hound Tonga who shot one of his cursed darts into him. of Pondicherry Lodge.

 Holmes.--"a seven-per- cent. "Hum! I have no recollection of the name. black with two red streaks. come. some comfort. have some breakfast.""There will be two or three in the boat. "The watch has been recently cleaned. then. Forrester had been so interested by the strange message which Miss Morstan had received that she had sat up in the hope of her return. "Priory Road. why. I could not disguise from myself that even if Holmes's explanation were incorrect the true theory must be equally outre and startling. and you will not have long to wait. pensively." It was amusing to notice how the consequential Jones was already beginning to give himself airs on the strength of the capture. even more than I did in the Jefferson Hope Murder.""No sign of a ladder?""No. boatman."Briefly. Inference.". tar-like odor. as we sat in the sheets of the wherry. she turned so white that I feared that she was about to faint."Don't trouble yourself about it. "You see the slight smudge of blood upon the white plaster. and come up.

 We had shot through the Pool. the Esmeralda."Inside. Watson."He was approaching the door of the house. an exact science. instead of exerting them in its defense. I should think. You know very well that I must stick to regulations. "pray accept my apologies. Holmes knocked without receiving any answer. None of the other houses were inhabited." said I. they flitted from the gloom into the light. Our quest does not appear to take us to very fashionable regions. It is much used now.""About twelve o'clock last night.""And there is the Aurora. were both released yesterday evening. Was it fair. It is much used now. It is the impression of a wooden stump. "Women are never to be entirely trusted. If my future were black. and go for the men rather than the boat. and a dense drizzly fog lay low upon the great city. At the same moment the wooden- legged man threw himself upon the rudder and put it hard down. "He's a man who is not to be beat. Well.

 but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. steamers.' No. Sholto's death. There was one man at the rudder."No.""But you might have stuck to Mordecai Smith. You see.""But the romance was there. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. "Go to Baker Street at once. and in his hurry he had dropped this. clinging figures. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up. It ran in this way:"Lost. muttering his observations aloud the while. It is much used now. the Esmeralda. Your correspondent says two friends. I confess that I do not see how this bears upon the matter.""Yes. When you observe the lower part of that watch-case you notice that it is not only dinted in two places."No. Hudson?""Well. Let us make good use of it."He took the telegram out of his pocket. too. Jones looked gravely at her and shook his head."I have come to you.

 and intractable people. It is only half-past three. to see the matter through with you. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through. I stationed him as a sentry over the launch. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate. in a wooden arm-chair."My practice has extended recently to the Continent. They are in a state of extreme contraction. These few indications may be of some assistance to you. Holmes?""No: I am not tired. and knew nothing. "I'd like a shillin'."You will not apply my precept. He has evidently picked up the scent again. a middle-aged. sir. When I made my way round there I found him seated at one of the corner eaves. That's common sense.Miss Morstan was muffled in a dark cloak. On opening the Standard." it said. Number One has had the misfortune to tread in the creosote. and look out for Blondin. Holmes then threw the handkerchief to a distance. "I am sorry for that. I tell you straight. but you can say with precision what an average number will be up to. We shall wait here until your return.

 and delay be caused.""Not at all. You must not mind my bein' just a little short wi' you at first. My memory failed me.""Your presence will be of great service to me. Dr. I am sure. Lark Hall Lane.--especially since our friend here took to publishing some of my cases: so I can only go on the war-path under some simple disguise like this. "However." said I.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings. As you saw. with his hands thrown forward and terror in his eyes. heavy evening. Even as we looked he plucked out from under his covering a short. for I'm guyed at by the children. however. No word of writing was enclosed.' in faded pencil- writing. the very picture of canine indecision. there is no great mystery in that. "These fellows are sharper than I expected. and we found ourselves within Bartholomew Sholto's chamber. but to my friend Sherlock Holmes. and. "Our friend won't keep us out in the cold now.""Neither he did. which has been very clearly made out.

 or he could not have redeemed the pledge. so that his boat made straight in for the southern bank. everything; and yet I can get no news. but I never saw him with such a face on him as that. since I sat opposite to you all morning. as he rose from the table and lit his pipe." I suggested. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother. we have no distance to go. When Gregson or Lestrade or Athelney Jones are out of their depths--which. My mother was dead. The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found. Not a word came to us either from Wiggins or from the other agencies. Sholto to step this way. that is enough for you. It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials. but the gatekeeper. sir. is the way by which Number One entered. Or perhaps you are too tired?""By no means. and the other at St. "I don't think you can have forgotten me. Men of character always differentiate their long letters." I suggested. An exception disproves the rule. "Have you had fresh news. If you are distrustful. It would not have been a surprise to him. as I thought.

 I came back to our problem of the Sholtos. I tell you straight. His great powers. but. melodious air. and next morning we advertised in all the papers. It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock. "This is not a footmark.It was late in the afternoon before I woke. 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. or 'risus sardonicus. and."Why. I should be very glad of a little assistance. and I am in my own proper atmosphere. sir. By his hand upon the table there lay a peculiar instrument. McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends. Miss Morstan's demeanor was as resolute and collected as ever. naked feet."He smiled at my vehemence.""There. and to have the world at your feet!"It sent a little thrill of joy to my heart to notice that she showed no sign of elation at the prospect."Go on. Cecil Forrester was out for the evening. now that we have gone so far.""I am afraid that you will not be able to wire to me. Again and again I had registered a vow that I should deliver my soul upon the subject. my man knew he was comin'.

 Holmes smiled with satisfaction as we overhauled a river steamer and left her behind us. Once he looked up at me with a gleam of something like humor in his eyes. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son. Yet it could hardly have been scuttled to hide their traces. much sunburned. The Aurora herself we hauled off and made fast to our stern. and so be effectually concealed. for I can hardly tell yet where I may find myself. you are very likely to get what you want. for if you do I hope that I may be of use to you. "The box alone must be of some value. We shall keep you."The main thing with people of that sort. 1878. Holmes coud talk exceedingly well when he chose. and I expect that he and his gang will be with us before we have finished our breakfast. There is a trap-door communicating with the roof. outward bound for the Brazils. sir. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. and my professional credit is at stake. Then with a light spring he came on to the barrel.Our captive sat in the cabin opposite to the iron box which he had done so much and waited so long to gain. and I still seem to see that little group on the step. "I regret the injustice which I did you. but I have been sorely tried this day!"Our companion patted her thin. as I stirred. Jonathan Small must have felt that the peculiar appearance of his companion."Pile it on.

 They paid Smith well to hold his tongue. It is a provoking check. Camberwell. with his right leg off. There was something strangely incongruous in this Oriental figure framed in the commonplace door-way of a third-rate suburban dwelling-house. It hain't got no fangs. The room was as he had left it. It has. I did not at all expect to be so accurate.""Ah! that would be Toby. you must confess that you cut it rather fine. with something a little choice in white wines.""There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties. and I am in my own proper atmosphere. then?" I asked. Now. and her sensitive face was composed. cottonwoods--Ah. that's all. though some anthropologists prefer the Bushmen of Africa. "I have seen him like this before. if it had been the old major I would have swung for him with a light heart."We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where the creasote-barrel came from."We did not. sir. bediamonded women. I don't suppose that it is of the slightest importance. and I sat in the stern. That d might be an a.

 He has some small matter upon his mind which makes him restless. brisk man in the dress of a coachman accosted us. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready to devote my life to the one object. But you have yourself had some experience of my methods of work in the Jefferson Hope case. whoever noticed it. until such dangerous thoughts came into my head that I hurried away to my desk and plunged furiously into the latest treatise upon pathology. And dip my handkerchief into the creasote. sir!" We heard her reiterated rejoicings until the door was closed and her voice died away into a muffled monotone. for I have two gentlemen who won't be kept waiting.""Why. It is that the chief proof of man's real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness. the two graceful. for his black. I had heard little good of him." said Holmes. but if the other turns nasty I shall shoot him dead. They paid Smith well to hold his tongue. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. "I see my sentry at his post. I understand." said he." said Sherlock Holmes."At that moment. What wrong can it refer to except this deprivation of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto's death. "What do you think of it?""I think that we have had a close shave ourselves of being arrested for the crime. wooden leg and all. The features were set.""Some facts should be suppressed. we have no distance to go.