The Sign of the Four

Street I

oby has lost his charac

er-yard. "If you consider how much creasote is carted about London in one day, it is no great wonder that our tra

the main scent a

at the corner of Knight's Place was that there were two different trails running i

place where he had committed his fault, he cast about in

ow bring us to the place where the cr

eps on the pavement, whereas the barrel passed do

nd of Broad Street it ran right down to the water's edge, where there was a small wooden wharf. To

punts and skiffs were lying about in the water and on the edge of the wharf. We t

it in large letters, and, underneath, "Boats to hire by the hour or day." A second inscription above the door informed us that a steam launch was kept,-

han I expected. They seem to have covered their tracks.

a little, curly-headed lad of six came running out, followed b

ome back, you young imp; for if your father comes ho

ally. "What a rosy-cheeked young rascal! N

r a moment. "I'd like

ou would l

etter," the prodigy answ

n! Catch!-A fine c

. He gets a'most too much for me to manage, '

ppointed voice. "I am sorry for that,

to tell, I am beginnin' to feel frightened about him. But

hire his st

n would take her to about Woolwich and back. If he'd been away in the barge I'd ha' thought nothin'; for many a time a job has taken h

ght some at a whar

ices they charge for a few odd bags. Besides, I don't like that wooden-legged man, wi

an?" said Holmes,

m that roused him up yesternight, and, what's more, my man knew he was comin', for he had

ning yourself about nothing. How could you possibly tell that it was the wooden-l

t would be. 'Show a leg, matey,' says he: 'time to turn out guard.' My old man woke up Jim,-that's my eldes

wooden-legge

sure, sir. I didn'

steam launch, and I have heard good repo

urora,

en launch with a yellow lin

ng as any on the river. She's been fres

ng down the river; and if I should see anything of the Aurora I

lack with a

od-morning, Mrs. Smith.-There is a boatman here with

them think that their information can be of the slightest importance to you. If you do, they will instantly sh

w seems pretty

uld you

and go down the river on

f the stream between here and Greenwich. Below the bridge there is a perfect labyrinth of landin

the poli

fellow, and I should not like to do anything which would injure him professiona

hen, asking for inform

ely enough to leave, but as long as they think they are perfectly safe they will be in no hurry. Jones's energy will be of use to us there,

" I asked, as we landed n

. It is quite on the cards that we may be afoot to-night again. Stop at a t

, and Holmes despatched his wire. "Whom do you thi

re I don

n of the detective police force whom I

said I,

ces; but I shall try them first. That wire was to my dirty little lieutenant, Wiggins, a

tellectual problem. As far as the death of Bartholomew Sholto went, I had heard little good of him, and could feel no intense antipathy to his murderers. The treasure, however, was a different matter. That, or part of it, belonged rightfully to Miss Morstan. While there was a chance of recovering it I was ready

me up wonderfully. When I came down to our room I fou

nergetic Jones and the ubiquitous reporter have fixed it up between them.

he short notice, which was headed "M

o be at the Norwood Police Station, and was on the ground within half an hour of the first alarm. His trained and experienced faculties were at once directed towards the detection of the criminals, with the gratifying result that the brother, Thaddeus Sholto, has already been arrested, together with the housekeeper, Mrs. Bernstone, an Indian butler named Lal Rao, and a porter, or gatekeeper, named McMurdo. It is quite certain that the thief or thieves were well acquainted with the house, for Mr. 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 do

es, grinning over his coffee-c

close shave ourselves of b

safety now, if he should happen to h

and I could hear Mrs. Hudson, our landlady, raisin

half rising, "I believe tha

hat. It is the unofficial force

here was some show of discipline among them, despite their tumultuous entry, for they instantly drew up in line and stood facing us with expectant faces. One of

, "and brought 'em on sharp. Thr

nstructions. I want to find the whereabouts of a steam launch called the Aurora, owner Mordecai Smith, black with two red streaks, funnel black with a white band. She is down the river somewhere. I want one boy to

'nor," sa

y in advance. Now off you go!" He handed them a shilling each, and away they b

ywhere, see everything, overhear every one. I expect to hear before evening that they have spotted her. In the mean while, we

raps, I dare say. Are yo

y. I am going to smoke and to think over this queer business to which my fair client has introduced us. If ever man had an easy t

ther ma

nion. Now, do consider the data. Diminutive footmarks, toes never fettered by boots, naked feet

s one of those Indians who were

itants of the Indian Peninsula are small men, but none could have left such marks as that. The Hindoo proper has long and thin feet. The sandal-wearing Mohammedan has the great toe well separa

erican,"

ogists prefer the Bushmen of Africa, the Digger Indians of America, and the Terra del Fuegians. The average height is rather below four feet, although many full-grown adults may be found who are very much smaller than this. They are a fierce, morose, and intractable people, though capable of forming most devoted friendships when their confidence has once been gained.' Mark that, Watson. Now, then, listen to this. 'They are naturally hideous, having large, misshapen heads, small, fierce eyes, and distorted features. Their feet and hands, however, are remarkably small.

to have so sing

ans, it is not so very wonderful that this islander should be with him. No doubt we shall know all about it in

a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest face, and the rise and fall of his bow. Then I seemed