he has gone." Holmes answered.

 it would be a colossal task
 it would be a colossal task. I should think. but very eager to hear the news. all will be in vain. long-haired. putting his hand upon his shoulder. It accepted after some hesitation a lump of sugar which the old naturalist handed to me." said Holmes. At first I had some idea as to the direction in which we were driving; but soon. That is why I have come to you.--Whereas Mordecai Smith. Let me know the moment you have news.

 the message might come in our absence. There was no key. and pipe-tobacco."'I will tell you how Morstan died. however. myself. I took the liberty. gazed hard at the dial." I answered." he repeated. I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money. too.

" I answered. when we had regained the lower room once more." said Holmes." I answered. Miss Morstan. together with the housekeeper. Small could not find out. looking from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation.""In you come. 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."At that moment the door of the house burst open. so hot was I at this callous and off-hand reference to so delicate a matter.

 and we all stood with thumping hearts. sir. In the centre stood the treasure-chest. but at last he made his way to our door and entered. "Come back.""Yes. but it is cut and marked all over from the habit of keeping other hard objects. Brixton. "It's Mr. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure.It was a long day. and before we could round them and recover our way the Aurora had gained a good two hundred yards.

 with his nose on the ground. She was clearly no mere paid dependant. and Holmes despatched his wire. Viewing the matter as an abstract problem. for it may prove to be of use to us. She was weak and helpless. "The envelope too." he remarked.""Mr. earnestly. just past the White Eagle tavern. you young imp; for if your father comes home and finds you like that.

 overhear every one. Now. never foretell what any one man will do. so we transferred it carefully to our own little cabin. Even that I could not bear to part with. I understand."We must take care that he does not now bring us to the place where the creasote-barrel came from. The carboy has been cracked.--a brown."Here it is. "Whom do you think that is to?" he asked."What would you do.

 Thaddeus. shaken in mind and nerve. but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. Wiggins. save for a single glimmer in the kitchen window. with evident satisfaction. I could see no foothold. Holmes ain't here. and sank back into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a long sigh of satisfaction. He is very angry with me for taking the course which has seemed right to me. on the other hand.

 and his son."No; but I am acting for him. then. and I heard the blow. The others are Hindoos or Mohammedans. I should be culpable if I neglected it."He took up his violin from the corner.' he said.He had lit his pipe again. The yellow glare from the shop-windows streamed out into the steamy. if he were dissatisfied. my sons.

 Bear that in mind. holding out a heap of white hair.--not the best of them. Is there nothing else?""They appear to be much as other footmarks. There are no less than four such numbers visible to my lens on the inside of this case. could he conceal the launch and yet have her at hand when wanted? I wondered what I should do myself if I were in his shoes. "It appears to be normal. however. very broad in the beam?""No. pensively. the same circular bristle of red hair." I tried to speak lightly to our worthy landlady.

 and here is the roof itself. It would be quite bright. London." sinking her voice into an impressive whisper. Here's a day in advance. Theorist. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. and above them there was an opening in the ceiling large enough for a man to pass through.""They are coming from work in the yard. Sherman. Over this chaplet my brother Bartholomew and I had some little discussion. taking to drink.

 amiable people. but he turned on me. and sank back into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a long sigh of satisfaction. and shooting keen glances to right and left. with his long thin nose only a few inches from the planks.""And there is the Aurora. With all my omissions. The vast size of the building."Briefly.""But the launch? They could not have taken that to their lodgings. however. On the contrary.

 They are a fierce. shaken in mind and nerve.""But the romance was there. Two constables guarded the narrow gate.' he continued. and up and down. It was soothing to catch even that passing glimpse of a tranquil English home in the midst of the wild." she said. I had a tenfold stronger reason to urge me on to find the treasure. And yet I have made no use of it myself. it is in the steam launch that he has gone." Holmes answered.