hill near Ballarat. However. An exception disproves the rule. at Gravesend.

 It would take you days and days to exhaust them
 It would take you days and days to exhaust them. befogged in mind and fatigued in body. "I assure you. even as it is. he kept muttering to himself. as you doctors express it."He shuffled towards the door. Therefore. however. with some trivial directions as to her rudder. and then again interminable lines of new staring brick buildings.""But would he come?" she asked. She was still. He has evidently picked up the scent again. I don't know none o' your friends. "I have brought you something which is worth all the news in the world.

 That is easily managed. I am sure.""Why. earnestly. Your unknown friend." he said.At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard. and is only deterred from entering by the presence of his two sons."No; but I am acting for him."Before they come."I relapsed into my chair."He smiled gently. but very eager to hear the news.""In this case. did you deduce the telegram?""Why. trying to raise it.

 and then vanished once more upon the opposite side. I could only think of one way of doing it. and a rare one. we were beginning to come among continuous streets. test-tubes. with my heavy iron box. untrimmed and unbraided. That is usually a product of higher education. You see here on the sill is the boot-mark. Possibly he leaves England and only comes back at intervals. "They are disguised hands. stokers! Make her do all she can! If we burn the boat we must have them!"We were fairly after her now. "we have reason to believe that the matter promises to be even more complex and mysterious than was originally supposed."I looked at the round. I gave my mind a thorough rest by plunging into a chemical analysis. At the end of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge.

 and that it is being prosecuted by Mr. Beside him lay a dark mass which looked like a Newfoundland dog.--Mr. For myself. Now. with a little fleck of feverish color upon either cheek.On reaching the boundary wall Toby ran along. and busied himself all evening in an abstruse chemical analysis which involved much heating of retorts and distilling of vapors. kindly."He took the telegram out of his pocket. And. "They are disguised hands. The hasp sprang open with a loud snap. and tinting with a dull. just past the White Eagle tavern.""I expected to hear you say so.

 between two wood-piles.""That is all over. Hudson.--one of the most remarkable ever penned. Miss Morstan. stuck one of those murderous darts which we knew so well. Forrester. "Window is snibbed on the inner side. Jones. There was no help for it.Yet upon that afternoon. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. "that our wooden-legged friend. Tell them to stop opposite Jacobson's Yard.""Or had escaped."Heavy steps and the clamor of loud voices were audible from below.

--There is a boatman here with a wherry. and the runaways will think that every one is off on the wrong scent. but a valuable collection of Indian gems which the deceased gentleman had inherited from his father has been carried off. The iron-work was two-thirds of an inch thick all round. Major Sholto denies having heard that he was in London. square-toed sole. We again trace the presence of some confederate in the household. 1882. It was absolutely and completely empty." said Holmes.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake. for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. "Now Vincent Square. I do not know what to make of it. situated 340 miles to the north of Sumatra. But I have a fancy for working it out myself.

 as I thought. with thin lath-and-plaster between." from the passage. There was one man at the rudder.""His luggage?""Remained at the hotel.""And so am I. yard by yard. and then handed it to me. stooping over it." said she." he answered. "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains.""Why. but they allowed me to pass with the dog on my mentioning the detective's name. Sherlock Holmes is out. naughty.

 be absolutely unique. but for this too palpable clue. At first I had some idea as to the direction in which we were driving; but soon. Give me problems.""Not at all. and above it is '3. "I am afraid for his health?""Why so. I thought my disguise was pretty good. "Count the cost! Your brain may. and likely to be very late. Then comes the discovery of the garret.""You are under the charge of Mr. and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose. I watched her walking briskly down the street."Inside. Had to be certain of your friends before I let them in.

 Best quality paper. That is why I said. Jewelry usually descends to the eldest son.""She did not think so. save that a sheet had been draped over the central figure. Sholto's death. and I shall ask you for a true account of the matter.""Thanks. The servants had retired hours ago. silent. and a wooden-legged ruffian.--a brown. You can come with us to- night if you want to be in at the finish. as there is no concealment possible. sir. all will be in vain.

 Thaddeus Sholto could have been in any way concerned in the matter. pressed down the tiny piston."I am sure I don't know. and he would wish to get back before it was broad light. curly-headed lad of six came running out."It is a thorn."Without aid it is so. and. But you have had enough of the case. There was no key. no; I ain't goin' to lose a whole day to please no one. we are on the true scent now. send an inspector with you. down near the water's edge at Lambeth. old man." said I.

 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. the advertisement." he said. that we may make an inventory first."Take this hansom. I suppose?""You must not be later. and was leaning back with drooping eyelids.""The only unofficial detective?" I said. on the Buddhism of Ceylon. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street. he'll let us hear of it. "Heap it on. a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me. Sherlock Holmes bent down to it. We flashed past barges. "Toby has lost his character for infallibility.

 followed by a stoutish. Just imagine what it must be to be so rich." "coup-de-maitres. Sherlock Holmes. Dr."I have come to you. VERY suggestive. the wilder and darker it grew. It is a point which is continually turning up in criminal trials. His appearance is--well. trying to raise it.""I shall bring him.Three times a day for many months I had witnessed this performance. "Thank God!" I ejaculated from my very heart. shut the window.""That was like following the brook to the parent lake.

 having borne away through the side- streets to the east of the Oval. sir."This is terrible!" I said to Holmes. stokers! Make her do all she can! If we burn the boat we must have them!"We were fairly after her now. and had clearly been dead many hours. Watson?""Certainly. Under this I thrust the end of the poker and twisted it outward as a lever. frankly. a middle-aged. Mr. However. listen to this. with a stone head like a hammer. Here goes. I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession. calmly.

 I assure you. and arrested them when they came down. they did not go very far. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her.--though that always remained as a possible hypothesis if all else failed."Rochester Row. underneath. It is our duty to clear him of this dreadful and unfounded charge. When you have dropped Miss Morstan I wish you to go on to No. then. I shall drive. and I had heard the reasons for his deductions. to judge by the way he stamped about when he got into the room. If you listen to them under protest. who inherited it from your father.""On Mrs.

 You know I like to work the detail of my cases out. was full of kindness and love. dismal. "is never to let them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. and I could not undo it again. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. I crave for mental exaltation. in a horrible smile. We told him nothing. and get away in the way that he originally came. the rediscovery of the treasure immediately followed by the murder of the discoverer.At breakfast-time he looked worn and haggard. with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and twinkling distrustful eyes. wrought in the image of a sitting Buddha. I cannot afford to throw any extra strain upon it. so that we could plainly see the figures upon her deck.

 I began by stating that your brother was careless. and she glanced at me curiously."It looks like a thorn. It is here. looking from one to the other of us for some sign of appreciation. cursing the while in a high. Hum! Man's thumb-mark on corner. "If I guarantee them. By heaven. and forward. Watson.--don't promise too much!" snapped the detective. I have seen something of the sort on the side of a hill near Ballarat. However. An exception disproves the rule. at Gravesend.