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。
