Chapter5
THETRAGEDYOFPONDICHERRYLODGE
Itwasnearlyeleveno’clockwhenwereachedthisfinalstageofournight’sadventures。Wehadleftthedampfogofthegreatcitybehindus，andthenightwasfairlyfine。Awarmwindblewfromthewestward，andheavycloudsmovedslowlyacrossthesky，withhalfamoonpeepingoccasionallythroughtherifts。Itwasclearenoughtoseeforsomedistance，butThaddeusSholtotookdownoneofthesidelampsfromthecarriagetogiveusabetterlightuponourway。
PondicherryLodgestoodinitsowngroundsandwasgirtroundwithaveryhighstonewalltoppedwithbrokenglass。Asinglenarrowiron-clampeddoorformedtheonlymeansofentrance。Onthisourguideknockedwithapeculiarpostman-likerat-tat。
Whoisthere？"criedagruffvoicefromwithin。
"ItisI，McMurdo。Yousurelyknowmyknockbythistime。"
Therewasagrumblingsoundandaclankingandjarringofkeys。
Thedoorswungheavilyback，andashort，deep-chestedmanstoodintheopening，withtheyellowlightofthelanternshininguponhisprotrudedfaceandtwinkling，distrustfuleyes。
"Thatyou，Mr。Thaddeus？Butwhoaretheothers？Ihadnoordersaboutthemfromthemaster。"
"No，McMurdo？Yousurpriseme！ItoldmybrotherlastnightthatI
shouldbringsomefriends。"
"Hehain’tbeenouto’hisroomsto-day，Mr。Thaddeus，andIhavenoorders。YouknowverywellthatImuststicktoregulations。Icanletyouin，butyourfriendstheymustjuststopwheretheyare。"
Thiswasanunexpectedobstacle。ThaddeusSholtolookedabouthiminaperplexedandhelplessmanner。
"Thisistoobadofyou，McMurdo！"hesaid。"IfIguaranteethem，thatisenoughforyou。Thereistheyounglady，too。Shecannotwaitonthepublicroadatthishour。"
"Verysorry，Mr。Thaddeus，"saidtheporterinexorably。"Folkmaybefriendso’yours，andyetnofriendo’themaster’s。Hepaysmewelltodomyduty，andmydutyI’lldo。Idon’tknownoneo’yourfriends。"
"Oh，yesyoudo，McMurdo，"criedSherlockHolmesgenially。"I
don’tthinkyoucanhaveforgottenme。Don’tyourememberthatamateurwhofoughtthreeroundswithyouatAlison’sroomsonthenightofyourbenefitfouryearsback？"
"NotMr。SherlockHolmes！"roaredtheprize-fighter。"God’struth！
howcouldIhavemistookyou？Ifinsteado’standin’theresoquietyouhadjuststeppedupandgivenmethatcross-hitofyoursunderthejaw，I’dha’knownyouwithoutaquestion。Ah，you’reonethathaswastedyourgifts，youhave！Youmighthaveaimedhigh，ifyouhadjoinedthefancy。"
"Yousee，Watson，ifallelsefailsme，Ihavestilloneofthescientificprofessionsopentome，"saidHolmes，laughing。"Ourfriendwon’tkeepusoutinthecoldnow，Iamsure。"
"Inyoucome，sir，inyoucome-youandyourfriends，"heanswered。"Verysorry，Mr。Thaddeus，butordersareverystrict。HadtobecertainofyourfriendsbeforeIletthemin。"
Inside，agravelpathwoundthroughdesolategroundstoahugeclumpofahouse，squareandprosaic，allplungedinshadowsavewhereamoonbeamstruckonecornerandglimmeredinagarretwindow。Thevastsizeofthebuilding，withitsgloomanditsdeathlysilence，struckachilltotheheart。EvenThaddeusSholtoseemedillatease，andthelanternquiveredandrattledinhishand。
"Icannotunderstandit，"hesaid。"Theremustbesomemistake。I
distinctlytoldBartholomewthatweshouldbehere，andyetthereisnolightinhiswindow。Idonotknowwhattomakeofit。"
"Doeshealwaysguardthepremisesinthisway？"askedHolmes。
"Yes;hehasfollowedmyfather’scustom。Hewasthefavouritesonyouknow，andIsometimesthinkthatmyfathermayhavetoldhimmorethanheevertoldme。ThatisBartholomew’swindowuptherewherethemoonshinestrikes。Itisquitebright，butthereisnolightfromwithin，Ithink。"
"None，"saidHolmes。"ButIseetheglintofalightinthatlittlewindowbesidethedoor。"
Ah，thatisthehousekeeper’sroom。ThatiswhereoldMrs。Bernstonesits。Shecantellusallaboutit。Butperhapsyouwouldnotmindwaitinghereforaminuteortwo，forifweallgointogether，andshehashadnowordofourcoming，shemaybealarmed。But，hush！whatisthat？"
Heheldupthelantern，andhishandshookuntilthecirclesoflightflickeredandwaveredallroundus。MissMorstanseizedmywrist，andweallstood，withthumpinghearts，strainingourears。
Fromthegreatblackhousetheresoundedthroughthesilentnightthesaddestandmostpitifulofsounds-theshrill，brokenwhimperingofafrightenedwoman。
"ItisMrs。Bernstone，"saidSholto。"Sheistheonlywomaninthehouse。Waithere。Ishallbebackinamoment。"
Hehurriedforthedoorandknockedinhispeculiarway。Wecouldseeatalloldwomanadmithimandswaywithpleasureattheverysightofhim。
"Oh，Mr。Thaddeus，sir，Iamsogladyouhavecome！Iamsogladyouhavecome，Mr。Thaddeus，sir！"
Weheardherreiteratedrejoicingsuntilthedoorwasclosedandhervoicediedawayintoamuffledmonotone。
Ourguidehadleftusthelantern。Holmesswungitslowlyroundandpeeredkeenlyatthehouseandatthegreatrubbish-heapswhichcumberedthegrounds。MissMorstanandIstoodtogether，andherhandwasinmine。Awondroussubtlethingislove，forherewerewetwo，whohadneverseeneachotherbeforethatday，betweenwhomnowordorevenlookofaffectionhadeverpassed，andyetnowinanhouroftroubleourhandsinstinctivelysoughtforeachother。Ihavemarvelledatitsince，butatthetimeitseemedthemostnaturalthingthatIshouldgoouttoherso，and，asshehasoftentoldme，therewasinheralsotheinstincttoturntomeforcomfortandprotection。Sowestoodhandinhandliketwochildren，andtherewaspeaceinourheartsforallthedarkthingsthatsurroundedus。
"Whatastrangeplace！"shesaid，lookinground。
"ItlooksasthoughallthemolesinEnglandhadbeenletlooseinit。IhaveseensomethingofthesortonthesideofahillnearBallarat，wheretheprospectorshadbeenatwork。"
"Andfromthesamecause，"saidHolmes。"Thesearethetracesofthetreasureseekers。Youmustrememberthattheyweresixyearslookingforit。Nowonderthatthegroundslooklikeagravel-pit。"
Atthatmomentthedoorofthehouseburstopen，andThaddeusSholtocamerunningout，withhishandsthrownforwardandterrorinhiseyes。
"ThereissomethingamisswithBartholomew！"hecried。"Iamfrightened！Mynervescannotstandit。"
Hewas，indeed，halfblubberingwithfear，andhistwitching，feeblefacepeepingoutfromthegreatastrakhancollarhadthehelpless，appealingexpressionofaterrifiedchild。
"Comeintothehouse，"saidHolmesinhiscrisp，firmway。
"Yes，do！"pleadedThaddeusSholto。"Ireallydonotfeelequaltogivingdirections。"
Weallfollowedhimintothehousekeeper’sroom，whichstooduponthelefthandsideofthepassage。Theoldwomanwaspacingupanddownwithascaredlookandrestless，pickingfingers，butthesightofMissMorstanappearedtohaveasoothingeffectuponher。
"Godblessyoursweet，calmface！"shecriedwithahystericalsob。"Itdoesmegoodtoseeyou。Oh，butIhavebeensorelytriedthisday！"
Ourcompanionpattedherthin，work-wornhandandmurmuredsomefewwordsofkindly，womanlycomfortwhichbroughtthecolourbackintotheother’sbloodlesscheeks。
"Masterhaslockedhimselfinandwillnotanswerme，"sheexplained。"AlldayIhavewaitedtohearfromhim，forheoftenlikestobealone;butanhouragoIfearedthatsomethingwasamiss，soI
wentupandpeepedthroughthekeyhole。Youmustgoup，Mr。
Thaddeus-youmustgoupandlookforyourself。IhaveseenMr。
BartholomewSholtoinjoyandinsorrowfortenlongyears，butI
neversawhimwithsuchafaceonhimasthat。"
SherlockHolmestookthelampandledtheway，forThaddeusSholto’steethwerechatteringinhishead。SoshakenwashethatIhadtopassmyhandunderhisarmaswewentupthestairs，forhiskneesweretremblingunderhim。Twiceasweascended，Holmeswhippedhislensoutofhispocketandcarefullyexaminedmarkswhichappearedtometobemereshapelesssmudgesofdustuponthecocoanut-mattingwhichservedasastair-carpet。Hewalkedslowlyfromsteptostep，holdingthelamplow，andshootingkeenglancestorightandleft。
MissMorstanhadremainedbehindwiththefrightenedhousekeeper。
Thethirdflightofstairsendedinastraightpassageofsomelength，withagreatpictureinIndiantapestryupontherightofitandthreedoorsupontheleft。Holmesadvancedalongitinthesameslowandmethodicalway，whilewekeptcloseathisheels，withourlongblackshadowsstreamingbackwarddownthecorridor。Thethirddoorwasthatwhichwewereseeking。Holmesknockedwithoutreceivinganyanswer，andthentriedtoturnthehandleandforceitopen。Itwaslockedontheinside，however，andbyabroadandpowerfulbolt，aswecouldseewhenwesetourlampupagainstit。Thekeybeingturned，however，theholewasnotentirelyclosed。
SherlockHolmesbentdowntoitandinstantlyroseagainwithasharpintakingofthebreath。
"Thereissomethingdevilishinthis，Watson，"saidhe，moremovedthanIhadeverbeforeseenhim。"Whatdoyoumakeofit？"
Istoopedtotheholeandrecoiledinhorror。Moonlightwasstreamingintotheroom，anditwasbrightwithavagueandshiftyradiance。Lookingstraightatmeandsuspended，asitwere，intheair，forallbeneathwasinshadow，therehungaface-theveryfaceofourcompanionThaddeus。Therewasthesamehigh，shininghead，thesamecircularbristleofredhair，thesamebloodlesscountenance。
Thefeatureswereset，however，inahorriblesmile，afixedandunnaturalgrin，whichinthatstillandmoonlitroomwasmorejarringtothenervesthananyscowlorcontortion。SolikewasthefacetothatofourlittlefriendthatIlookedroundathimtomakesurethathewasindeedwithus。ThenIrecalledtomindthathebadmentionedtousthathisbrotherandheweretwins。
"Thisisterrible！"IsaidtoHolmes。"Whatistobedone？"
"Thedoormustcomedown，"heanswered，andspringingagainstit，heputallhisweightuponthelock。
Itcreakedandgroanedbutdidnotyield。Togetherweflungourselvesuponitoncemore，andthistimeitgavewaywithasuddensnap，andwefoundourselveswithinBartholomewSholto’schamber。
Itappearedtohavebeenfittedupasachemicallaboratory。A
doublelineofglass-stopperedbottleswasdrawnupuponthewalloppositethedoor，andthetablewaslitteredoverwithBunsenburners，test-tubes，andretorts。Inthecornersstoodcarboysofacidinwickerbaskets。Oneoftheseappearedtoleakortohavebeenbroken，forastreamofdark-colouredliquidhadtrickledoutfromit，andtheairwasheavywithapeculiarlypungent，tarlikeodour。A
setofstepsstoodatonesideoftheroominthemidstofalitteroflathandplaster，andabovethemtherewasanopeningintheceilinglargeenoughforamantopassthrough。Atthefootofthestepsalongcoilofropewasthrowncarelesslytogether。
Bythetableinawoodenarmchairthemasterofthehousewasseatedallinaheap，withhisheadsunkuponhisleftshoulderandthatghastly，inscrutablesmileuponhisface。Hewasstiffandcoldandhadclearlybeendeadmanyhours。Itseemedtomethatnotonlyhisfeaturesbutallhislimbsweretwistedandturnedinthemostfantasticfashion。Byhishanduponthetabletherelayapeculiarinstrument-abrown，close-grainedstick，withastoneheadlikeahammer，rudelylashedonwithcoarsetwine。Besideitwasatornsheetofnote-paperwithsomewordsscrawleduponit。Holmesglancedatitandthenhandedittome。
"Yousee，"hesaidwithasignificantraisingoftheeyebrows。
InthelightofthelanternIreadwithathrillofhorror，"Thesignofthefour。"
"InGod’sname，whatdoesitallmean？"Iasked。
"Itmeansmurder，"saidhe，stoopingoverthedeadman。"Ah！I
expectedit。Lookhere！"
Hepointedtowhatlookedlikealongdarkthornstuckintheskinjustabovetheear。
"Itlookslikeathorn，"saidI。
"Itisathorn。Youmaypickitout。Butbecareful，foritispoisoned。"
Itookitupbetweenmyfingerandthumb。Itcameawayfromtheskinsoreadilythathardlyanymarkwasleftbehind。Onetinyspeckofbloodshowedwherethepuncturehadbeen。
"Thisisallaninsolublemysterytome，"saidI。"Itgrowsdarkerinsteadofclearer。"
"Onthecontrary，"heanswered，"itclearseveryinstant。Ionlyrequireafewmissinglinkstohaveanentirelyconnectedcase。"
Wehadalmostforgottenourcompanion’spresencesinceweenteredthechamber。Hewasstillstandinginthedoorway，theverypictureofterror，wringinghishandsandmoaningtohimself。Suddenly，however，hebrokeoutintoasharp，querulouscry。
"Thetreasureisgone！"hesaid。"Theyhaverobbedhimofthetreasure！Thereistheholethroughwhichweloweredit。Ihelpedhimtodoit！Iwasthelastpersonwhosawhim！Ilefthimherelastnight，andIheardhimlockthedoorasIcamedownstairs。"
"Whattimewasthat？"
"Itwasteno’clock。Andnowheisdead，andthepolicewillbecalledin，andIshallbesuspectedofhavinghadahandinit。Oh，yes，IamsureIshall。Butyoudon’tthinkso，gentlemen？Surelyyoudon’tthinkthatitwasI？IsitlikelythatIwouldhavebroughtyouhereifitwereI？Oh，dear！oh，dear！IknowthatIshallgomad！"
Hejerkedhisarmsandstampedhisfeetinakindofconvulsivefrenzy。
"Youhavenoreasonforfear，Mr。Sholto，"saidHolmeskindly，puttinghishanduponhisshoulder;"takemyadviceanddrivedowntothestationtoreportthemattertothepolice。Offertoassistthemineveryway。Weshallwaithereuntilyourreturn。"
Thelittlemanobeyedinahalf-stupefiedfashion，andweheardhimstumblingdownthestairsinthedark。
Chapter6
SHERLOCKHOLMESGIVESADEMONSTRATION
"Now，Watson，"saidHolmes，rubbinghishands，"wehavehalfanhourtoourselves。Letusmakegooduseofit。Mycaseis，asIhavetoldyou，almostcomplete;butwemustnoterronthesideofoverconfidence。Simpleasthecaseseemsnow，theremaybesomethingdeeperunderlyingit。"
"Simple！"Iejaculated。
"Surely，"saidhewithsomethingoftheairofaclinicalprofessorexpoundingtohisclass。"Justsitinthecornerthere，thatyourfootprintsmaynotcomplicatematters。Nowtowork！Inthefirstplace，howdidthesefolkcomeandhowdidtheygo？Thedoorhasnotbeenopenedsincelastnight。Howofthewindow？"Hecarriedthelampacrosstoit，mutteringhisobservationsaloudthewhilebutaddressingthemtohimselfratherthantome。"Windowissnibbedontheinnerside。Frame-workissolid。Nohingesattheside。Letusopenit。Nowater-pipenear。Roofquiteoutofreach。Yetamanhasmountedbythewindow。Itrainedalittlelastnight。Hereistheprintofafootinmoulduponthesill。Andhereisacircularmuddymark，andhereagainuponthefloor，andhereagainbythetable。
Seehere，Watson！Thisisreallyaveryprettydemonstration。"
Ilookedattheround，well-definedmuddydiscs。
"Thatisnotafoot-mark，"saidI。
"Itissomethingmuchmorevaluabletous。Itistheimpressionofawoodenstump。Youseehereonthesillistheboot-mark，aheavybootwithabroadmetalheel，andbesideitisthemarkofthetimber-toe。"
"Itisthewooden-leggedman。"
"Quiteso。Buttherehasbeensomeoneelse-averyableandefficientally。Couldyouscalethatwall，Doctor？"
Ilookedoutoftheopenwindow。Themoonstillshonebrightlyonthatangleofthehouse。Wewereagoodsixtyfeetfromtheground，and，lookwhereIwould，Icouldseenofoothold，norasmuchasacreviceinthebrickwork。
"Itisabsolutelyimpossible，"Ianswered。
"Withoutaiditisso。ButsupposeyouhadafriendupherewholoweredyouthisgoodstoutropewhichIseeinthecorner，securingoneendofittothisgreathookinthewall。Then，Ithink，ifyouwereanactiveman，youmightswarmup，woodenlegandall。Youwoulddepart，ofcourse，inthesamefashion，andyourallywoulddrawuptherope，untieitfromthehook，shutthewindow，snibitontheinside，andgetawayinthewaythatheoriginallycame。Asaminorpoint，itmaybenoted，"hecontinued，fingeringtherope，"thatourwooden-leggedfriend，thoughafairclimber，wasnotaprofessionalsailor。Hishandswerefarfromhorny。Mylensdisclosesmorethanoneblood-mark，especiallytowardstheendoftherope，fromwhichI
gatherthatheslippeddownwithsuchvelocitythathetooktheskinoffhishands。"
"Thisisallverywell，"saidI;"butthethingbecomesmoreunintelligiblethanever。Howaboutthismysteriousally？Howcameheintotheroom？"
"Yes，theally！"repeatedHolmespensively。"Therearefeaturesofinterestaboutthisally。Heliftsthecasefromtheregionsofthecommonplace。Ifancythatthisallybreaksfreshgroundintheannalsofcrimeinthiscountry-thoughparallelcasessuggestthemselvesfromIndiaand，ifmymemoryservesme，fromSenegambia。"
"Howcamehe，then？"Ireiterated。"Thedoorislocked;thewindowisinaccessible。Wasitthroughthechimney？"
"Thegrateismuchtoosmall，"heanswered。"Ihadalreadyconsideredthatpossibility。"
"How，then？"Ipersisted。
"Youwillnotapplymyprecept，"hesaid，shakinghishead。"HowoftenhaveIsaidtoyouthatwhenyouhaveeliminatedtheimpossible，whateverremains，howeverimprobable，mustbethetruth？Weknowthathedidnotcomethroughthedoor，thewindow，orthechimney。
Wealsoknowthathecouldnothavebeenconcealedintheroom，asthereisnoconcealmentpossible。When，then，didhecome？"
"Hecamethroughtheholeintheroof！"Icried。
"Ofcoursehedid。Hemusthavedoneso。Ifyouwillhavethekindnesstoholdthelampforme，weshallnowextendourresearchestotheroomabove-thesecretroominwhichthetreasurewasfound。"
Hemountedthesteps，and，seizingarafterwitheitherhand，heswunghimselfupintothegarret。Then，lyingonhisface，hereacheddownforthelampandhelditwhileIfollowedhim。
Thechamberinwhichwefoundourselveswasabouttenfeetonewayandsixtheother。Thefloorwasformedbytherafters，withthinlathandplasterbetween，sothatinwalkingonehadtostepfrombeamtobeam。Theroofranuptoanapexandwasevidentlytheinnershellofthetrueroofofthehouse。Therewasnofurnitureofanysort，andtheaccumulateddustofyearslaythickuponthefloor。
"Hereyouare，yousee，"saidSherlockHolmes，puttinghishandagainsttheslopingwall。"Thisisatrapdoorwhichleadsoutontotheroof。Icanpressitback，andhereistheroofitself，slopingatagentleangle。This，then，isthewaybywhichNumberOneentered。
Letusseeifwecanfindsomeothertracesofhisindividuality？"
Hehelddownthelamptothefloor，andashedidsoIsawforthesecondtimethatnightastartled，surprisedlookcomeoverhisface。Formyself，asIfollowedhisgaze，myskinwascoldundermyclothes。Thefloorwascoveredthicklywiththeprintsofanakedfoot-clear，well-defined，perfectlyformed，butscarcehalfthesizeofthoseofanordinaryman。
"Holmes，"Isaidinawhisper，"achildhasdonethishorridthing。"
Hehadrecoveredhisself-possessioninaninstant。
"Iwasstaggeredforthemoment，"hesaid，"butthethingisquitenatural。Mymemoryfailedme，orIshouldhavebeenabletoforetellit。Thereisnothingmoretobelearnedhere。Letusgodown。"
"Whatisyourtheory，then，astothosefootmarks？"Iaskedeagerlywhenwehadregainedthelowerroomoncemore。
"MydearWatson，tryalittleanalysisyourself，"saidhewithatouchofimpatience。"Youknowmymethods。Applythem，anditwillbeinstructivetocompareresults。"
"Icannotconceiveanythingwhichwillcoverthefacts，"Ianswered。
"Itwillbeclearenoughtoyousoon，"hesaid，inanoffhandway。
"Ithinkthatthereisnothingelseofimportancehere，butIwilllook。"
Hewhippedouthislensandatapemeasureandhurriedabouttheroomonhisknees，measuring，comparing，examining，withhislongthinnoseonlyafewinchesfromtheplanksandhisbeadyeyesgleaminganddeep-setlikethoseofabird。Soswift，silent，andfurtivewerehismovements，likethoseofatrainedbloodhoundpickingoutascent，thatIcouldnotbutthinkwhataterriblecriminalhewouldhavemadehadheturnedhisenergyandsagacityagainstthelawinsteadofexertingtheminitsdefence。Ashehuntedabout，hekeptmutteringtohimself，andfinallyhebrokeoutintoaloudcrowofdelight。
"Wearecertainlyinluck，"saidhe。"Weoughttohaveverylittletroublenow。NumberOnehashadthemisfortunetotreadinthecreosote。Youcanseetheoutlineoftheedgeofhissmallfoothereatthesideofthisevil-smellingmess。Thecarboyhasbeencracked，yousee，andthestuffhasleakedout。"
"Whatthen？"Iasked。
"Why，wehavegothim，that’sall，"saidhe。
"Iknowadogthatwouldfollowthatscenttotheworld’send。Ifapackcantrackatrailedherringacrossashire，howfarcanaspeciallytrainedhoundfollowsopungentasmellasthis？Itsoundslikeasumintheruleofthree。Theanswershouldgiveusthe-Buthallo！herearetheaccreditedrepresentativesofthelaw。"
Heavystepsandtheclamourofloudvoiceswereaudiblefrombelow，andthehalldoorshutwithaloudcrash。
"Beforetheycome，"saidHolmes，"justputyourhandhereonthispoorfellow’sarm，andhereonhisleg。Whatdoyoufeel？"
"Themusclesareashardasaboard，"Ianswered。
"Quiteso。Theyareinastateofextremecontraction，farexceedingtheusualrigormortis。Coupledwiththisdistortionoftheface，thisHippocraticsmile，or`risussardonicus，’astheoldwriterscalledit，whatconclusionwoulditsuggesttoyourmind？"
"Deathfromsomepowerfulvegetablealkaloid，"Ianswered，"somestrychninelikesubstancewhichwouldproducetetanus。"
"ThatwastheideawhichoccurredtometheinstantIsawthedrawnmusclesoftheface。OngettingintotheroomIatoncelookedforthemeansbywhichthepoisonhadenteredthesystem。Asyousaw，Idiscoveredathornwhichhadbeendrivenorshotwithnogreatforceintothescalp。Youobservethatthepartstruckwasthatwhichwouldbeturnedtowardstheholeintheceilingifthemanwereerectinhischair。Nowexaminethisthorn。"
Itookitupgingerlyandhelditinthelightofthelanter。Itwaslong，sharp，andblack，withaglazedlooknearthepointasthoughsomegummysubstancehaddrieduponit。Thebluntendhadbeentrimmedandroundedoffwithaknife。
"IsthatanEnglishthorn？"heasked。
"No，itcertainlyisnot。"
"Withallthesedatayoushouldbeabletodrawsomejustinference。
Butherearetheregulars，sotheauxiliaryforcesmaybeataretreat。"
Ashespoke，thestepswhichhadbeencomingnearersoundedloudlyonthepassage，andaverystout，portlymaninagraysuitstrodeheavilyintotheroom。Hewasred-faced，burly，andplethoric，withapairofverysmalltwinklingeyeswhichlookedkeenlyoutfrombetweenswollenandpuffypouches。HewascloselyfollowedbyaninspectorinuniformandbythestillpalpitatingThaddeusSholto。
"Here’sabusiness！"hecriedinamuffled，huskyvoice。"Here’saprettybusiness！Butwhoareallthese？Why，thehouseseemstobeasfullasarabbit-warren！"
"Ithinkyoumustrecollectme，Mr。AthelneyJones，"saidHolmesquietly。
"Why，ofcourseIdo！"hewheezed。"It’sMr。SherlockHolmes，thetheorist。Rememberyou！I’llneverforgethowyoulecturedusalloncausesandinferencesandeffectsintheBishopgatejewelcase。It’strueyousetusontherighttrack;butyou’llownnowthatitwasmorebygoodluckthangoodguidance。"
"Itwasapieceofverysimplereasoning。"
"Oh，come，now，come！Neverbeashamedtoownup。Butwhatisallthis？Badbusiness！Badbusiness！Sternfactshere-noroomfortheories。HowluckythatIhappenedtobeoutatNorwoodoveranothercase！Iwasatthestationwhenthemessagearrived。Whatd’youthinkthemandiedof？"
"Oh，thisishardlyacaseformetotheorizeover，"saidHolmesdryly。
"No，no。Still，wecan’tdenythatyouhitthenailontheheadsometimes。Dearme！Doorlocked，Iunderstand。Jewelsworthhalfamillionmissing。Howwasthewindow？"
"Fastened;buttherearestepsonthesill。"
"Well，well，ifitwasfastenedthestepscouldhavenothingtodowiththematter。That’scommonsense。Manmighthavediedinafit;
butthenthejewelsaremissing。Ha！Ihaveatheory。Theseflashescomeuponmeattimes。Juststepoutside，Sergeant，andyou，Mr。
Sholto。Yourfriendcanremain。Whatdoyouthinkofthis，Holmes？
Sholtowas，onhisownconfession，withhisbrotherlastnight。thebrotherdiedinafit，onwhichSholtowalkedoffwiththetreasure？
How’sthat？"
"Onwhichthedeadmanveryconsideratelygotupandlockedthedoorontheinside。"
"Hum！There’saflawthere。Letusapplycommonsensetothematter。
ThisThaddeusSholtowaswithhisbrother;therewasaquarrel：somuchweknow。Thebrotherisdeadandthejewelsaregone。Somuchalsoweknow。NoonesawthebrotherfromthetimeThaddeuslefthim。Hisbedhadnotbeensleptin。Thaddeusisevidentlyinamostdisturbedstateofmind。Hisappearanceis-well，notattractive。
YouseethatIamweavingmywebroundThaddeus。Thenetbeginstocloseuponhim。"
"Youarenotquiteinpossessionofthefactsyet，"saidHolmes。
"Thissplinterofwood，whichIhaveeveryreasontobelievetobepoisoned，wasintheman’sscalpwhereyoustillseethemark;thiscard，inscribedasyouseeit，wasonthetable，andbesideitlaythisrathercuriousstone-headedinstrument。Howdoesallthatfitintoyourtheory？"
"Confirmsitineveryrespect，"saidthefatdetectivepompously。
"HouseisfullofIndiancuriosities。Thaddeusbroughtthisup，andifthissplinterbepoisonousThaddeusmayaswellhavemademurderoususeofitasanyotherman。Thecardissomehocus-pocus-ablind，aslikeasnot。Theonlyquestionis，howdidhedepart？Ah，ofcourse，hereisaholeintheroof。"
Withgreatactivity，consideringhisbulk，hesprangupthestepsandsqueezedthroughintothegarretandimmediatelyafterwardsweheardhisexultingvoiceproclaimingthathehadfoundthetrapdoor。
"Hecanfindsomething，"remarkedHolmes，shrugginghisshoulders;
"hehasoccasionalglimmeringsofreason。Iln’yapasdessotssiincommodesqueceuxquiontdel’esprit！"
"Yousee！"saidAthelneyJones，reappearingdownthestepsagain;
"factsarebetterthantheories，afterall。Myviewofthecaseisconfirmed。Thereisatrapdoorcommunicatingwiththeroof，anditispartlyopen。"
"ItwasIwhoopenedit。"
"Oh，indeed！Youdidnoticeit，then？"Heseemedalittlecrestfallenatthediscovery。"Well，whoevernoticedit，itshowshowourgentlemangotaway。Inspector！"
"Yes，sir，"fromthepassage。
"AskMr。Sholtotostepthisway-Mr。Sholto，itismydutytoinformyouthatanythingwhichyoumaysaywillbeusedagainstyou。I
arrestyouintheQueen’snameasbeingconcernedinthedeathofyourbrother。"
"There，now！Didn’tItellyou！"criedthepoorlittleman，throwingouthishandsandlookingfromonetotheotherofus。
"Don’ttroubleyourselfaboutit，Mr。Sholto，"saidHolmes;"IthinkthatIcanengagetoclearyouofthecharge。"
"Don’tpromisetoomuch，Mr。Theorist，don’tpromisetoomuch！"
snappedthedetective。"Youmayfinditahardermatterthanyouthink。"
"NotonlywillIclearhim，Mr。Jones，butIwillmakeyouafreepresentofthenameanddescriptionofoneofthetwopeoplewhowereinthisroomlastnight。Hisname，Ihaveeveryreasontobelieve，isJonathanSmall。Heisapoorlyeducatedman，small，active，withhisrightlegoff，andwearingawoodenstumpwhichiswornawayupontheinnerside。Hisleftboothasacoarse，square-toedsole，withanironbandroundtheheel。Heisamiddle-agedman，muchsunburned，andhasbeenaconvict。Thesefewindicationsmaybeofsomeassistancetoyou，coupledwiththefactthatthereisagooddealofskinmissingfromthepalmofhishand。Theotherman-"
"Ah！theotherman？"askedAthelneyJonesinasneeringvoice，butimpressednonetheless，asIcouldeasilysee，bytheprecisionoftheother’smanner。
"Isarathercuriousperson，"saidSherlockHolmes，turninguponhisheel。"Ihopebeforeverylongtobeabletointroduceyoutothepairofthem。Awordwithyou，Watson。"
Heledmeouttotheheadofthestair。
"Thisunexpectedoccurrence，"hesaid，"hascausedusrathertolosesightoftheoriginalpurposeofourjourney。"
"Ihavejustbeenthinkingso，"Ianswered;"itisnotrightthatMissMorstanshouldremaininthisstrickenhouse。"
"No。Youmustescortherhome。SheliveswithMrs。CecilForresterinLowerCamberwell，soitisnotveryfar。Iwillwaitforyouhereifyouwilldriveoutagain。Orperhapsyouaretootired？"
"Bynomeans。Idon’tthinkIcouldrestuntilIknowmoreofthisfantasticbusiness。Ihaveseensomethingoftheroughsideoflife，butIgiveyoumywordthatthisquicksuccessionofstrangesurprisesto-nighthasshakenmynervecompletely。Ishouldlike，however，toseethematterthroughwithyou，nowthatIhavegotsofar。"
"Yourpresencewillbeofgreatservicetome，"heanswered。"WeshallworkthecaseoutindependentlyandleavethisfellowJonestoexultoveranymare’s-nestwhichhemaychoosetoconstruct。WhenyouhavedroppedMissMorstan，IwishyoutogoontoNo。3PinchinLane，downnearthewater’sedgeatLambeth。Thethirdhouseontheright-handsideisabird-stuffer’s;Shermanisthename。Youwillseeaweaselholdingayoungrabbitinthewindow。KnockoldShermanupandtellhim，withmycompliments，thatIwantTobyatonce。YouwillbringTobybackinthecabwithyou。"
"Adog，Isuppose。"
"Yes，aqueermongrelwithamostamazingpowerofscent。IwouldratherhaveToby’shelpthanthatofthewholedetectiveforceofLondon。"
"Ishallbringhimthen，"saidI。"Itisonenow。IoughttobebackbeforethreeifIcangetafreshhorse。"
"AndI，"saidHolmes，"shallseewhatIcanlearnfromMrs，BernstoneandfromtheIndianservant，who，Mr。Thaddeustellsme，sleepsinthenextgarret。ThenIshallstudythegreatJones’smethodsandlistentohisnottoodelicatesarcasms。
"`WirsindgewohntdassdieMenschenverhohnenwassienichtverstehen。’
"Goetheisalwayspithy。"
Chapter7
THEEPISODEOFTHEBARREL
Thepolicehadbroughtacabwiththem，andinthisIescortedMissMorstanbacktoherhome。Aftertheangelicfashionofwomen，shehadbornetroublewithacalmfaceaslongastherewassomeoneweakerthanherselftosupport，andIhadfoundherbrightandplacidbythesideofthefrightenedhousekeeper。Inthecab，however，shefirstturnedfaintandthenburstintoapassionofweeping-sosorelyhadshebeentriedbytheadventuresofthenight。Shehastoldmesincethatshethoughtmecoldanddistantuponthatjourney。Shelittleguessedthestrugglewithinmybreast，ortheeffortofself-restraintwhichheldmeback。Mysympathiesandmylovewentouttoher，evenasmyhandhadinthegarden。Ifeltthatyearsoftheconventionalitiesoflifecouldnotteachmetoknowhersweet，bravenatureashadthisonedayofstrangeexperiences。Yetthereweretwothoughtswhichsealedthewordsofaffectionuponmylips。
Shewasweakandhelpless，shakeninmindandnerve。Itwastotakeheratadisadvantagetoobtrudeloveuponheratsuchatime。Worsestill，shewasrich。IfHolmes’sresearchesweresuccessful，shewouldbeanheiress。Wasitfair，wasithonourable，thatahalf-paysurgeonshouldtakesuchadvantageofanintimacywhichchancehadbroughtabout？Mightshenotlookuponmeasamerevulgarfortune-seeker？I
couldnotbeartoriskthatsuchathoughtshouldcrosshermind。ThisAgratreasureintervenedlikeanimpassablebarrierbetweenus。
Itwasnearlytwoo’clockwhenwereachedMrs。CecilForrester’s。
Theservantshadretiredhoursago，butMrs。ForresterhadbeensointerestedbythestrangemessagewhichMissMorstanhadreceivedthatshehadsatupinthehopeofherreturn。Sheopenedthedoorherself，amiddle-aged，gracefulwoman，anditgavemejoytoseehowtenderlyherarmstoleroundtheother’swaistandhowmotherlywasthevoiceinwhichshegreetedher。Shewasclearlynomerepaiddependantbutanhonouredfriend。Iwasintroduced，andMrs。Forresterearnestlybeggedmetostepinandtellherouradventures。I
explained，however，theimportanceofmyerrandandpromisedfaithfullytocallandreportanyprogresswhichwemightmakewiththecase。AswedroveawayIstoleaglanceback，andIstillseemtoseethatlittlegrouponthestep-thetwograceful，clingingfigures，thehalf-openeddoor，thehall-lightshiningthroughstainedglass，thebarometer，andthebrightstair-rods。ItwassoothingtocatcheventhatpassingglimpseofatranquilEnglishhomeinthemidstofthewild，darkbusinesswhichhadabsorbedus。
AndthemoreIthoughtofwhathadhappened，thewilderanddarkeritgrew。IreviewedthewholeextraordinarysequenceofeventsasI
rattledonthroughthesilent，gas-litstreets。Therewastheoriginalproblem：thatatleastwasprettyclearnow。ThedeathofCaptainMorstan，thesendingofthepearls，theadvertisement，theletter-
wehadhadlightuponallthoseevents。Theyhadonlyledus，however，toadeeperandfarmoretragicmystery。TheIndiantreasure，thecuriousplanfoundamongMorstan’sbaggage，thestrangesceneatMajorSholto’sdeath，therediscoveryofthetreasureimmediatelyfollowedbythemurderofthediscoverer，theverysingularaccompanimentstothecrime，thefootsteps，theremarkableweapons，thewordsuponthecard，correspondingwiththoseuponCaptainMorstan’schart-herewasindeedalabyrinthinwhichamanlesssingularlyendowedthanmyfellow-lodgermightwelldespairofeverfindingtheclue。
PinchinLanewasarowofshabby，two-storiedbrickhousesinthelowerquarterofLambeth。IhadtoknockforsometimeatNo。3beforeIcouldmakeanyimpression。Atlast，however，therewastheglintofacandlebehindtheblind，andafacelookedoutattheupperwindow。
"Goon，youdrunkenvagabond，"saidtheface。"Ifyoukickupanymorerow，I’llopenthekennelsandletoutforty-threedogsuponyou。"
"Ifyou’llletoneout，it’sjustwhatIhavecomefor，"saidI。
"Goon！"yelledthevoice。"Sohelpmegracious，Ihaveawiperinthisbag，andI’lldropitonyour’eadifyoudon’thookit！"
"ButIwantadog，"Icried。
"Iwon’tbearguedwith！"shoutedMr。Sherman。"Nowstandclear，forwhenIsay`three，’downgoesthewiper。"
"Mr。SherlockHolmes-"Ibegan;butthewordshadamostmagicaleffect，forthewindowinstantlyslammeddown，andwithinaminutethedoorwasunbarredandopen。Mr。Shermanwasalanky，leanoldman，withstoopingshoulders，astringyneck，andblue-tintedglasses。
"AfriendofMr。Sherlockisalwayswelcome，"saidhe。"Stepin，sir。Keepclearofthebadger，forhebites。Ah，naughty，naughty，youtakeanipatthegentleman？"Thistoastoatwhichthrustitswickedheadandredeyesbetweenthebarsofitscage。"Don’tmindthat，sir;it’sonlyaslowworm。Ithain’tgotnofangs，soIgivesittheruno’theroom，foritkeepsthebeetlesdown。Youmustnotmindmybein’justalittleshortwi’youatfirst，forI’mguyedatbythechildren，andthere’smanyaonejustcomesdownthislanetoknockmeup。WhatwasitthatMr。SherlockHolmeswanted，sir？"
"Hewantedadogofyours。"
"Ah！thatwouldbeToby。"
"Yes，Tobywasthename。"
"TobylivesatNo。7onthelefthere。"
Hemovedslowlyforwardwithhiscandleamongthequeeranimalfamilywhichhehadgatheredroundhim。Intheuncertain，shadowylightIcouldseedimlythattherewereglancing，glimmeringeyespeepingdownatusfromeverycrannyandcorner。Eventheraftersaboveourheadswerelinedbysolemnfowls，wholazilyshiftedtheirweightfromonelegtotheotherasourvoicesdisturbedtheirslumbers。
Tobyprovedtobeanugly，long-haired，lop-earedcreature，halfspanielandhalflurcher，brownandwhiteincolour，withaveryclumsy，waddlinggait。Itaccepted，aftersomehesitation，alumpofsugarwhichtheoldnaturalisthandedtome，and，havingthussealedanalliance，itfollowedmetothecabandmadenodifficultiesaboutaccompanyingme。IthadjuststruckthreeonthePalaceclockwhenIfoundmyselfbackoncemoreatPondicherryLodge。Theex-prize-fighterMcMurdohad，Ifound，beenarrestedasanaccessory，andbothheandMr。Sholtohadbeenmarchedofftothestation。Twoconstablesguardedthenarrowgate，buttheyallowedmetopasswiththedogonmymentioningthedetective’sname。
Holmeswasstandingonthedoorstepwithhishandsinhispockets，smokinghispipe。
"Ah，youhavehimthere！"saidhe。"Gooddog，then！AthelneyJoneshasgone。Wehavehadanimmensedisplayofenergysinceyouleft。
HehasarrestednotonlyfriendThaddeusbutthegatekeeper，thehousekeeper，andtheIndianservant。Wehavetheplacetoourselvesbutforasergeantupstairs。Leavethedoghereandcomeup。"
WetiedTobytothehalltableandreascendedthestairs。Theroomwasaswehadleftit，savethatasheethadbeendrapedoverthecentralfigure。Awearylookingpolice-sergeantreclinedinthecorner。
"Lendmeyourbull’seye，Sergeant，"saidmycompanion。"Nowtiethisbitofcardroundmyneck，soastohangitinfrontofme。Thankyou。NowImustkickoffmybootsandstockings。justyoucarrythemdownwithyou，Watson。Iamgoingtodoalittleclimbing。Anddipmyhandkerchiefintothecreosote。Thatwilldo。Nowcomeupintothegarretwithmeforamoment。"
Weclamberedupthroughthehole。Holmesturnedhislightoncemoreuponthefootstepsinthedust。
"Iwishyouparticularlytonoticethesefootmarks，"hesaid。"Doyouobserveanythingnoteworthyaboutthem？"
"Theybelong，"Isaid，"toachildorasmallwoman。"
"Apartfromtheirsize，though。Istherenothingelse？"
"Theyappeartobemuchasotherfootmarks。"
"Notatall。Lookhere！Thisistheprintofarightfootinthedust。NowImakeonewithmynakedfootbesideit。Whatisthechiefdifference？"
"Yourtoesareallcrampedtogether。Theotherprinthaseachtoedistinctlydivided。"
"Quiteso。Thatisthepoint。Bearthatinmind。Now，wouldyoukindlystepovertothatflap-windowandsmelltheedgeofthewoodwork？Ishallstayoverhere，asIhavethishandkerchiefinmyhand。"
Ididashedirectedandwasinstantlyconsciousofastrongtarrysmell。
"Thatiswhereheputhisfootingettingout。Ifyoucantracehim，IshouldthinkthatTobywillhavenodifficulty。Nowrundownstairs，loosethedog，andlookoutforBlondin。"
BythetimethatIgotoutintothegroundsSherlockHolmeswasontheroof，andIcouldseehimlikeanenormousglow-wormcrawlingveryslowlyalongtheridge。Ilostsightofhimbehindastackofchimneys，buthepresentlyreappearedandthenvanishedoncemoreupontheoppositeside。WhenImademywayroundthereIfoundhimseatedatoneofthecornereaves。
"Thatyou，Watson？"hecried。
"Yes。"
"Thisistheplace。Whatisthatblackthingdownthere？"
"Awater-barrel。"
"Toponit？"
"Yes。"
"Nosignoftheladder？"
"No。"
"Confoundthefellow！It’samostbreakneckplace。Ioughttobeabletocomedownwherehecouldclimbup。Thewater-pipefeelsprettyfirm。Heregoes，anyhow。"
Therewasascufflingoffeet，andthelanternbegantocomesteadilydownthesideofthewall。Thenwithalightspringhecameontothebarrel，andfromtheretotheearth。
"Itwaseasytofollowhim，"hesaid，drawingonhisstockingsandboots。"Tileswereloosenedthewholewayalong，andinhishurryhehaddroppedthis。Itconfirmsmydiagnosis，asyoudoctorsexpressit。"
Theobjectwhichhehelduptomewasasmallpocketorpouchwovenoutofcolouredgrassesandwithafewtawdrybeadsstrungroundit。Inshapeandsizeitwasnotunlikeacigarette-case。Insidewerehalfadozenspinesofdarkwood，sharpatoneendandroundedattheother，likethatwhichhadstruckBartholomewSholto。
"Theyarehellishthings，"saidhe。"Lookoutthatyoudon’tprickyourself。I’mdelightedtohavethem，forthechancesarethattheyareallhehas。Thereisthelessfearofyouormefindingoneinourskinbeforelong。IwouldsoonerfaceaMartinibullet，myself。Areyougameforasix-miletrudge，Watson？"
"Certainly，"Ianswered。
"Yourlegwillstandit？"
"Oh，yes。"
"Hereyouare，doggy！GoodoldToby！Smellit，Toby，smellit！"Hepushedthecreosotehandkerchiefunderthedog’snose，whilethecreaturestoodwithitsfluffylegsseparated，andwithamostcomicalcocktoitshead，likeaconnoisseursniffingthebouquetofafamousvintage。Holmesthenthrewthehandkerchieftoadistance，fastenedastoutcordtothemongrel’scollar，andledhimtothefootofthewater-barrel。Thecreatureinstantlybrokeintoasuccessionofhigh，tremulousyelpsand，withhisnoseonthegroundandhistailintheair，patteredoffuponthetrailatapacewhichstrainedhisleashandkeptusatthetopofourspeed。
Theeasthadbeengraduallywhitening，andwecouldnowseesomedistanceinthecoldgraylight。Thesquare，massivehouse，withitsblack，emptywindowsandhigh，barewalls，toweredup，sadandforlorn，behindus。Ourcourseledrightacrossthegrounds，inandoutamongthetrenchesandpitswithwhichtheywerescarredandintersected。Thewholeplace，withitsscattereddirt-heapsandill-grownshrubs，hadablighted，ill-omenedlookwhichharmonizedwiththeblacktragedywhichhungoverit。
OnreachingtheboundarywallTobyranalong，whiningeagerly，underneathitsshadow，andstoppedfinallyinacornerscreenedbyayoungbeech。Wherethetwowallsjoined，severalbrickshadbeenloosened，andthecrevicesleftwereworndownandroundeduponthelowerside，asthoughtheyhadfrequentlybeenusedasaladder。
Holmesclamberedup，andtakingthedogfrommehedroppeditoverupontheotherside。
"There’stheprintofWooden-leg’shand，"heremarkedasImountedupbesidehim。"Youseetheslightsmudgeofblooduponthewhiteplaster。Whataluckythingitisthatwehavehadnoveryheavyrainsinceyesterday！Thescentwilllieupontheroadinspiteoftheireight-and-twentyhours’start。"
IconfessthatIhadmydoubtsmyselfwhenIreflecteduponthegreattrafficwhichhadpassedalongtheLondonroadintheinterval。Myfearsweresoonappeased，however。Tobyneverhesitatedorswervedbutwaddledoninhispeculiarrollingfashion。Clearlythepungentsmellofthecreosoterosehighaboveallothercontendingscents。
"Donotimagine，"saidHolmes，"thatIdependformysuccessinthiscaseuponthemerechanceofoneofthesefellowshavingputhisfootinthechemical。Ihaveknowledgenowwhichwouldenablemetotracetheminmanydifferentways。This，however，isthereadiest，and，sincefortunehasputitintoourhands，IshouldbeculpableifIneglectedit。Ithas，however，preventedthecasefrombecomingtheprettylittleintellectualproblemwhichitatonetimepromisedtobe。Theremighthavebeensomecredittobegainedoutofitbutforthistoopalpableclue。"
"Thereiscredit，andtospare，"saidI。"Iassureyou，Holmes，thatImarvelatthemeansbywhichyouobtainyourresultsinthiscaseevenmorethanIdidintheJeffersonHopemurder。Thethingseemstometobedeeperandmoreinexplicable。How，forexample，couldyoudescribewithsuchconfidencethewooden-leggedman？"
"Pshaw，mydearboy！itwassimplicityitself。Idon’twishtobetheatrical。Itisallpatentandabove-board。Twoofficerswhoareincommandofaconvict-guardlearnanimportantsecretastoburiedtreasure。AmapisdrawnforthembyanEnglishmannamedJonathanSmall。YourememberthatwesawthenameuponthechartinCaptainMorstan’spossession。Hehadsigneditinbehalfofhimselfandhisassociates-thesignofthefour，ashesomewhatdramaticallycalledit。Aidedbythischart，theofficers-oroneofthem-getsthetreasureandbringsittoEngland，leaving，wewillsuppose，someconditionunderwhichhereceiveditunfulfilled。Now，then，whydidnotJonathanSmallgetthetreasurehimself？Theanswerisobvious。
ThechartisdatedatatimewhenMorstanwasbroughtintocloseassociationwithconvicts。JonathanSmalldidnotgetthetreasurebecauseheandhisassociateswerethemselvesconvictsandcouldnotgetaway。"
"Butthisismerespeculation，"saidI。
"Itismorethanthat。Itistheonlyhypothesiswhichcoversthefacts。Letusseehowitfitsinwiththesequel。MajorSholtoremainsatpeaceforsomeyears，happyinthepossessionofhistreasure。ThenhereceivesaletterfromIndiawhichgiveshimagreatfright。
"Whatwasthat？"
"Alettertosaythatthemenwhomhehadwrongedhadbeensetfree。"
"Orhadescaped。Thatismuchmorelikely，forhewouldhaveknownwhattheirtermofimprisonmentwas。Itwouldnothavebeenasurprisetohim。Whatdoeshedothen？Heguardshimselfagainstawooden-leggedman-awhiteman，markyou，forhemistakesawhitetradesmanforhimandactuallyfiresapistolathim。Now，onlyonewhiteman’snameisonthechart。TheothersareHindoosorMohammedans。Thereisnootherwhiteman。ThereforewemaysaywithconfidencethatthewoodenleggedmanisidenticalwithJonathanSmall。Doesthereasoningstrikeyouasbeingfaulty？"
"No：itisclearandconcise。"
"Well，now，letusputourselvesintheplaceofJonathanSmall。Letuslookatitfromhispointofview。HecomestoEnglandwiththedoubleideaofregainingwhathewouldconsidertobehisrightsandofhavinghisrevengeuponthemanwhohadwrongedhim。HefoundoutwhereSholtolived，andverypossiblyheestablishedcommunicationswithsomeoneinsidethehouse。thereisthisbutler，LalRao，whomwehavenotseen。Mrs。Bernstonegiveshimfarfromagoodcharacter。Smallcouldnotfindout，however，wherethetreasurewashid，fornooneeverknewsavethemajorandonefaithfulservantwhohaddied。SuddenlySmalllearnsthatthemajorisonhisdeathbed。
Inafrenzylestthesecretofthetreasurediewithhim，herunsthegauntletoftheguards，makeshiswaytothedyingman’swindow，andisonlydeterredfromenteringbythepresenceofhistwosons。
Madwithhate，however，againstthedeadman，heenterstheroomthatnight，searcheshisprivatepapersinthehopeofdiscoveringsomememorandumrelatingtothetreasure，andfinallyleavesamementoofhisvisitintheshortinscriptionuponthecard。Hehaddoubtlessplannedbeforehandthat，shouldheslaythemajor，hewouldleavesomesuchrecorduponthebodyasasignthatitwasnotacommonmurderbut，fromthepointofviewofthefourassociates，somethinginthenatureofanactofjustice。Whimsicalandbizarreconceitsofthiskindarecommonenoughintheannalsofcrimeandusuallyaffordvaluableindicationsastothecriminal。Doyoufollowallthis？"
"Veryclearly。"
"NowwhatcouldJonathanSmalldo？Hecouldonlycontinuetokeepasecretwatchupontheeffortsmadetofindthetreasure。PossiblyheleavesEnglandandonlycomesbackatintervals。Thencomesthediscoveryofthegarret，andheisinstantlyinformedofit。Weagaintracethepresenceofsomeconfederateinthehousehold。
Jonathan，withhiswoodenleg，isutterlyunabletoreachtheloftyroomofBartholomewSholto。Hetakeswithhim，however，arathercuriousassociate，whogetsoverthisdifficultybutdipshisnakedfootcreosote，whencecomeToby，andasix-milelimpforahalf-payofficerwithadamagedtendoAchillis。"
"ButitwastheassociateandnotJonathanwhocommittedthecrime。"
"Quiteso。AndrathertoJonathan’sdisgust，tojudgebythewayhestampedaboutwhenhegotintotheroom。HeborenogrudgeagainstBartholomewSholtoandwouldhavepreferredifhecouldhavebeensimplyboundandgagged。Hedidnotwishtoputhisheadinahalter。Therewasnohelpforit，however：thesavageinstinctsofhiscompanionhadbrokenout，andthepoisonhaddoneitswork：soJonathanSmalllefthisrecord，loweredthetreasure-boxtotheground，andfollowedithimself。ThatwasthetrainofeventsasfarasIcandecipherthem。Ofcourse，astohispersonalappearance，hemustbemiddle-agedandmustbesunburnedafterservinghistimeinsuchanovenastheAndamans。Hisheightisreadilycalculatedfromthelengthofhisstride，andweknowthathewasbearded。HishairinesswastheonepointwhichimpresseditselfuponThaddeusSholtowhenhesawhimatthewindow。Idon’tknowthatthereisanythingelse。"
"Theassociate？"
"Ah，well，thereisnogreatmysteryinthat。Butyouwillknowallaboutitsoonenough。Howsweetthemorningairis！Seehowthatonelittlecloudfloatslikeapinkfeatherfromsomegiganticflamingo。NowtheredrimofthesunpushesitselfovertheLondoncloud-bank。Itshinesonagoodmanyfolk，butonnone，Idarebet，whoareonastrangererrandthanyouandI。HowsmallwefeelwithourpettyambitionsandstrivingsinthepresenceofthegreatelementalforcesofNature！AreyouwellupinyourJeanPaul？"
"Fairlyso。IworkedbacktohimthroughCarlyle。"
"Thatwaslikefollowingthebrooktotheparentlake。Hemakesonecuriousbutprofoundremark。Itisthatthechiefproofofman’srealgreatnessliesinhisperceptionofhisownsmallness。Itargues，yousee，apowerofcomparisonandofappreciationwhichisinitselfaproofofnobility。ThereismuchfoodforthoughtinRichter。
Youhavenotapistol，haveyou？"
"Ihavemystick。"
"Itisjustpossiblethatwemayneedsomethingofthesortifwegettotheirlair。JonathanIshallleavetoyou，butiftheotherturnsnastyIshallshoothimdead。"
Hetookouthisrevolverashespoke，and，havingloadedtwoofthechambers，heputitbackintotheright-handpocketofhisjacket。
WehadduringthistimebeenfollowingtheguidanceofTobydownthehalfruralvilla-linedroadswhichleadtothemetropolis。Now，however，wewerebeginningtocomeamongcontinuousstreets，wherelabourersanddockmenwerealreadyastir，andslatternlywomenweretakingdownshuttersandbrushingdoorsteps。Atthesquare-toppedcornerpublic-housesbusinesswasjustbeginning，andrough-lookingmenwereemerging，rubbingtheirsleevesacrosstheirbeardsaftertheirmorningwet。Strangedogssaunteredupandstaredwonderinglyatusaswepassed，butourinimitableTobylookedneithertotherightnortotheleftbuttrottedonwardwithhisnosetothegroundandanoccasionaleagerwhinewhichspokeofahotscent。
WehadtraversedStreatham，Brixton，Camberwell，andnowfoundourselvesinKenningtonline，havingborneawaythroughthesidestreetstotheeastoftheOval。Themenwhomwepursuedseemedtohavetakenacuriouslyzigzagroad，withtheideaprobablyofescapingobservation。Theyhadneverkepttothemainroadifaparallelsidestreetwouldservetheirturn。AtthefootofKenningtonLanetheyhadedgedawaytotheleftthroughBondStreetandMilesStreet。WherethelatterstreetturnsintoKnight’sPlace，Tobyceasedtoadvancebutbegantorunbackwardandforwardwithoneearcockedandtheotherdrooping，theverypictureofcanineindecision。Thenhewaddledroundincircles，lookinguptousfromtimetotime，asiftoaskforsympathyinhisembarrassment。
"Whatthedeuceisthematterwiththedog？"growledHolmes。"Theysurelywouldnottakeacaborgooffinaballoon。"
"Perhapstheystoodhereforsometime，"Isuggested。
"Ah！it’sallright。He’soffagain，"saidmycompanioninatoneofrelief。
Hewasindeedoff，foraftersniffingroundagainhesuddenlymadeuphismindanddartedawaywithanenergyanddeterminationsuchashehadnotyetshown。Thescentappearedtobemuchhotterthanbefore，forhehadnoteventoputhisnoseonthegroundbuttuggedathisleashandtriedtobreakintoarun。IcouldseebythegleaminHolmes’seyesthathethoughtwewerenearingtheendofourjourney。
OurcoursenowrandownNineElmsuntilwecametoBroderickandNelson’slargetimber-yardjustpasttheWhiteEagletavern。Herethedog，franticwithexcitement，turneddownthroughthesidegateintotheenclosure，wherethesawyerswerealreadyatwork。Onthedogracedthroughsawdustandshavings，downanalley，roundapassage，betweentwowood-piles，andfinally，withatriumphantyelp，spranguponalargebarrelwhichstillstooduponthehand-trolleyonwhichithadbeenbrought。WithlollingtongueandblinkingeyesTobystooduponthecask，lookingfromonetotheotherofusforsomesignofappreciation。Hestavesofthebarrelandthewheelsofthetrolleyweresmearedwithadarkliquid，andthewholeairwasheavywiththesmellofcreosote。
SherlockHolmesandIlookedblanklyateachotherandthenburstsimultaneouslyintoanuncontrollablefitoflaughter。
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