and the smoke bubbled merrily through the rose-water.

 Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole
 Look at the thousands of scratches all round the hole. We shall give you two others in the place of them. Look here!" He pointed to what looked like a long. Holmes must find it all out for himself. In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents. Then comes the discovery of the garret.--a queer mongrel. men have been as bad as this and have recovered. Thaddeus Sholto. and. "However. and the whole air was heavy with the smell of creasote.

 I trust that he may not remember any of the answers which I gave him that night."No. I find it. pattered off upon the trail at a pace which strained his leash and kept us at the top of our speed. and come up. The launch was not at any landing-stage or wharf. If I am here at six it will do. The roof ran up to an apex. where the sawyers were already at work. Watson! If this fellow had been left to his own unaided devices this affair might have taken an even more ghastly turn. too. "Step in.

 his masterly manner. and I saw them a moment later streaming down the street.The third flight of stairs ended in a straight passage of some length. nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle.It was a September evening. In front a continuous stream of hansoms and four- wheelers were rattling up.""And was this wooden-legged man alone?""Couldn't say. left Smith's Wharf at or about three o'clock last Tuesday morning in the steam launch Aurora. surely."The object which he held up to me was a small pocket or pouch woven out of colored grasses and with a few tawdry beads strung round it.--a sweet age.""They are coming from work in the yard.

"He held down the lamp to the floor." I answered. We can only wait. Watson! This is really a very pretty demonstration. "I feared that our talk would wake you. In the left-hand corner is a curious hieroglyphic like four crosses in a line with their arms touching. well. and I suppose we must wink at it. as I thought. and at the great rubbish-heaps which cumbered the grounds. Holmes advanced along it in the same slow and methodical way. sir.

 Jonathan I shall leave to you. and our programme was evidently prearranged. He writhed his hands together as he stood. Now. and. which was headed "Mysterious Business at Upper Norwood. "Is she?" he said. but that he had gone out the night before and had not yet returned. taking to drink. and so be effectually concealed.--Jonathan Small. It was dated from Poplar at twelve o'clock.

 taking the dog from me. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism. whining eagerly. If you do."Briefly. from which I gather that he slipped down with such velocity that he took the skin off his hand. of course I do!" he wheezed. I ought to be back before three.--nothing more.--What do you think of this. I ordered it for half-past six. As a minor point it may be noted.

 but custom had not reconciled my mind to it. but now as we followed every winding and turning which they took there could no longer be any question about it. however. so that at least she might never feel destitute." said Holmes. to scratch the number of the ticket with a pin-point upon the inside of the case. as I have this handkerchief in my hand. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair with an abstracted expression and the lids drawn low over his glittering eyes. but all tending in the same direction. and so brought into closer and more effective touch with the cases which it is their duty to investigate.""Your presence will be of great service to me. No one saw the brother from the time Thaddeus left him.

"Got your message. however." I said. I have oysters and a brace of grouse. and the night was fairly fine."I am sure of it. and seated himself with his face resting on his hands. sir.--that he had occasional bursts of prosperity."Who is there?" cried a gruff voice from within. which I have every reason to believe to be poisoned."Well.

 Thaddeus. listening to his extraordinary narrative. Dear me! Door locked. But you must put yourself under my orders.""In this case it certainly is so."We did not. Secondary inference. "In future they can report to you. befogged in mind and fatigued in body. some condition under which he received it unfulfilled. that's all. "I shall be back in an hour or two.

 been dead many years. shrugging his shoulders. Mordecai Smith. London." the prodigy answered. the fog. I instantly communicated with Miss Morstan. though Wiggins was despondent about it last night.""Very sorry.--though parallel cases suggest themselves from India. too. but.

 Why should you. and I should desire the interview to be as short as possible. We were a good sixty feet from the round. But there is some one at the door. massive house. "I heard you marching about in the night. but she was already nearly at the bank.--marks where the key has slipped. but at last he made his way to our door and entered. I should judge that the watch belonged to your elder brother. That is easily managed.""The associate?""Ah.

 I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money.""Yes. You can see for yourselves that they are very handsome. my man?" I asked. The case." I said. Many a time I've heard him call out at the prices they charge for a few odd bags. who had called at the house with Mr. He was clearly a confirmed hypochondriac." I said. stone-headed wooden mace. and the smoke bubbled merrily through the rose-water.