Chapter8
THEBAKERSTREETIRREGULARS
\"Whatnow？\"Iasked。\"Tobyhaslosthischaracterforinfallibility。\"
\"Heactedaccordingtohislights，\"saidHolmes，liftinghimdownfromthebarrelandwalkinghimoutofthetimber-yard。\"IfyouconsiderhowmuchcreosoteiscartedaboutLondoninoneday，itisnogreatwonderthatourtrailshouldhavebeencrossed。Itismuchusednow，especiallyfortheseasoningofwood。PoorTobyisnottoblame。\"
\"Wemustgetonthemainscentagain，Isuppose。\"
\"Yes。And，fortunately，wehavenodistancetogo。EvidentlywhatpuzzledthedogatthecornerofKnight’sPlacewasthatthereweretwodifferenttrailsrunninginoppositedirections。Wetookthewrongone。Itonlyremainstofollowtheother。\"
Therewasnodifficultyaboutthis。OnleadingTobytotheplacewherehehadcommittedhisfault，hecastaboutinawidecircleandfinallydashedoffinafreshdirection。
\"Wemusttakecarethathedoesnotnowbringustotheplacewherethecreosotebarrelcamefrom，\"Iobserved。
\"Ihadthoughtofthat。Butyounoticethathekeepsonthepavement，whereasthebarrelpasseddowntheroadway。No，weareonthetruescentnow。\"
Ittendeddowntowardstheriverside，runningthroughBelmontPlaceandPrince’sStreet。AttheendofBroadStreetitranrightdowntothewater’sedge，wheretherewasasmallwoodenwharf。Tobyledustotheveryedgeofthisandtherestoodwhining，lookingoutonthedarkcurrentbeyond。
\"Weareoutofluck，\"saidHolmes。\"Theyhavetakentoaboathere。\"
Severalsmallpuntsandskiffswerelyingaboutinthewaterandontheedgeofthewharf。WetookTobyroundtoeachinturn，butthoughhesniffedearnestlyhemadenosign。
Closetotherudelanding-stagewasasmallbrickhouse，withawoodenplacardslungoutthroughthesecondwindow。\"MordecaiSmith\"
wasprintedacrossitinlargeletters，and，underneath，\"Boatstohirebythehourorday。\"Asecondinscriptionabovethedoorinformedusthatasteamlaunchwaskept-astatementwhichwasconfirmedbyagreatpileofcokeuponthejetty。SherlockHolmeslookedslowlyround，andhisfaceassumedanominousexpression。
\"Thislooksbad\"saidhe。\"ThesefellowsaresharperthanI
expected。Theyseemtohavecoveredtheirtracks。Therehas，Ifear，beenpreconcertedmanagementhere。\"
Hewasapproachingthedoorofthehouse，whenitopened，andalittlecurlyheadedladofsixcamerunningout，followedbyastoutish，red-facedwomanwithalargespongeinherhand。
\"Youcomebackandbewashed，Jack，\"sheshouted。\"Comeback，youyoungimp;forifyourfathercomeshomeandfindsyoulikethathe’llletushearofit。\"
\"Dearlittlechap！\"saidHolmesstrategically。\"Whatarosy-cheekedyoungrascal！Now，Jack，isthereanythingyouwouldlike？\"
Theyouthponderedforamoment。
\"I’dlikeashillin’，\"saidhe。
\"Nothingyouwouldlikebetter？\"
\"I’dliketwoshillin’better，\"theprodigyansweredaftersomethought。
\"Hereyouare，then！Catch！-Afinechild，Mrs。Smith！\"
\"Lor’blessyou，sir，heisthat，andforward。Hegetsa’mosttoomuchformetomanage，’speciallywhenmymanisawaydaysatatime。\"
\"Away，ishe？\"saidHolmesinadisappointedvoice。\"Iamsorryforthat，forIwantedtospeaktoMr。Smith。\"
\"He’sbeenawaysinceyesterdaymornin’，sir，and，truthtotell，Iambeginnin’tofeelfrightenedabouthim。Butifitwasaboutaboat，sir，maybeIcouldserveaswell。\"
\"Iwantedtohirehissteamlaunch。\"
\"Why，blessyou，sir，itisinthesteamlaunchthathehasgone。
That’swhatpuzzlesme;forIknowthereain’tmorecoalsinherthanwouldtakehertoaboutWoolwichandback。Ifhe’sbeenawayinthebargeI’dha’thoughtnothin’;formanyatimeajobhastakenhimasfarasGravesend，andtheniftherewasmuchdoin’therehemightha’stayedover。Butwhatgoodisasteamlaunchwithoutcoals？\"
\"Hemighthaveboughtsomeatawharfdowntheriver。\"
\"Hemight，sir，butitweren’thisway。ManyatimeI’veheardhimcalloutatthepricestheychargeforafewoddbags。Besides，I
don’tlikethatwoodenleggedman，wi’hisuglyfaceandoutlandishtalk。Whatdidhewantalwaysknockin’aboutherefor？\"
\"Awoodenleggedman？\"saidHolmeswithblandsurprise。
\"Yes，sir，abrown，monkey-facedchapthat’scalledmore’nonceformyoldman。Itwashimthatrousedhimupyesternight，and，what’smore，mymanknewhewascomin’，forhehadsteamupinthelaunch。
Itellyoustraight，sir，Idon’tfeeleasyinmymindaboutit。\"
\"But，mydearMrs。Smith，\"saidHolmes，shrugginghisshoulders，\"youarefrighteningyourselfaboutnothing。Howcouldyoupossiblytellthatitwasthewooden-leggedmanwhocameinthenight？I
don’tquiteunderstandhowyoucanbesosure。\"
\"Hisvoice，sir。Iknewhisvoice，whichiskindo’thickandfoggy。
Hetappedatthewinder-aboutthreeitwouldbe。`Showaleg，matey，’
sayshe：`timetoturnoutguard。’MyoldmanwokeupJim-that’smyeldest-andawaytheywentwithoutsomuchasawordtome。Icouldhearthewoodenlegclackin’onthestones。\"
\"Andwasthiswooden-leggedmanalone？\"
\"Couldn’tsay，Iamsure，sir。Ididn’thearnooneelse。\"
\"Iamsorry，Mrs。Smith，forIwantedasteamlaunch，andIhaveheardgoodreportsofthe-Letmesee，whatishername？\"
\"TheAurora，sir。\"
\"Ah！She’snotthatoldgreenlaunchwithayellowline，verybroadinthebeam？\"
\"No，indeed。She’sastrimalittlethingasanyontheriver。She’sbeenfreshpainted，blackwithtworedstreaks。\"
\"Thanks。IhopethatyouwillhearsoonfromMr。Smith。Iamgoingdowntheriver，andifIshouldseeanythingoftheAuroraIshalllethimknowthatyouareuneasy。Ablackfunnel，yousay？\"
\"No，sir。Blackwithawhiteband。\"
\"Ah，ofcourse。Itwasthesideswhichwereblack。Good-morning，Mrs。Smith。Thereisaboatmanherewithawherry，Watson。Weshalltakeitandcrosstheriver。\"
\"Themainthingwithpeopleofthatsort，\"saidHolmesaswesatinthesheetsofthewherry，\"isnevertoletthemthinkthattheirinformationcanbeoftheslightestimportancetoyou。Ifyoudotheywillinstantlyshutuplikeanoyster。Ifyoulistentothemunderprotest，asitwere，youareverylikelytogetwhatyouwant。\"
\"Ourcoursenowseemsprettyclear，\"saidI。
\"Whatwouldyoudo，then？\"
\"IwouldengagealaunchandgodowntheriveronthetrackoftheAurora。\"
\"Mydearfellow，itwouldbeacolossaltask。ShemayhavetouchedatanywharfoneithersideofthestreambetweenhereandGreenwich。Belowthebridgethereisaperfectlabyrinthoflanding-placesformiles。Itwouldtakeyoudaysanddaystoexhaustthemifyousetaboutitalone。\"
\"Employthepolice，then。\"
\"No。IshallprobablycallAthelneyJonesinatthelastmoment。
Heisnotabadfellow，andIshouldnotliketodoanythingwhichwouldinjurehimprofessionally。ButIhaveafancyforworkingitoutmyself，nowthatwehavegonesofar。\"
\"Couldweadvertise，then，askingforinformationfromwharfingers？\"
\"Worseandworse！Ourmenwouldknowthatthechasewashotattheirheels，andtheywouldbeoffoutofthecountry。Asitis，theyarelikelyenoughtoleave，butaslongastheythinktheyareperfectlysafetheywillbeinnohurry。Jones’senergywillbeofusetousthere，forhisviewofthecaseissuretopushitselfintothedailypress，andtherunawayswillthinkthateveryoneisoffonthewrongscent。\"
\"Whatarewetodo，then？\"IaskedaswelandednearMillbankPenitentiary。
\"Takethishansom，drivehome，havesomebreakfast，andgetanhour’ssleep。Itisquiteonthecardsthatwemaybeafootto-nightagain。Stopatatelegraphoffice，cabby！WewillkeepToby，forhemaybeofusetousyet。\"
WepulledupattheGreatPeterStreetPost-Office，andHolmesdispatchedhiswire。
\"Whomdoyouthinkthatisto？\"heaskedasweresumedourjourney。
\"IamsureIdon’tknow。\"
\"YouremembertheBakerStreetdivisionofthedetectivepoliceforcewhomIemployedintheJeffersonHopecase？\"
\"Well，\"saidI，laughing。
\"Thisisjustthecasewheretheymightbeinvaluable。IftheyfailIhaveotherresources，butIshalltrythemfirst。Thatwirewastomydirtylittlelieutenant，Wiggins，andIexpectthatheandhisgangwillbewithusbeforewehavefinishedourbreakfast。\"
Itwasbetweeneightandnineo’clocknow，andIwasconsciousofastrongreactionafterthesuccessiveexcitementsofthenight。Iwaslimpandweary，befoggedinmindandfatiguedinbody。Ihadnottheprofessionalenthusiasmwhichcarriedmycompanionon，norcouldI
lookatthematterasamereabstractintellectualproblem。AsfarasthedeathofBartholomewSholtowent，Ihadheardlittlegoodofhimandcouldfeelnointenseantipathytohismurderers。Thetreasure，however，wasadifferentmatter。That，orpartofit，belongedrightfullytoMissMorstan。WhiletherewasachanceofrecoveringitIwasreadytodevotemylifetotheoneobject。True，ifIfoundit，itwouldprobablyputherforeverbeyondmyreach。
Yetitwouldbeapettyandselfishlovewhichwouldbeinfluencedbysuchathoughtasthat。IfHolmescouldworktofindthecriminals，Ihadatenfoldstrongerreasontourgemeontofindthetreasure。
AbathatBakerStreetandacompletechangefreshenedmeupwonderfully。WhenIcamedowntoourroomIfoundthebreakfastlaidandHolmespouringoutthecoffee。
\"Hereitis，\"saidhe，laughingandpointingtoanopennewspaper。
\"TheenergeticJonesandtheubiquitousreporterhavefixeditupbetweenthem。Butyouhavehadenoughofthecase。Betterhaveyourhamandeggsfirst。\"
Itookthepaperfromhimandreadtheshortnotice，whichwasheaded\"MysteriousBusinessatUpperNorwood。\"
Abouttwelveo’clocklastnight[saidtheStandard]Mr。
BartholomewSholto，ofPondicherryLodge，UpperNorwood，wasfounddeadinhisroomundercircumstanceswhichpointtofoulplay。Asfaraswecanlearn，noactualtracesofviolencewerefounduponMr。Sholto’sperson，butavaluablecollectionofIndiangemswhichthedeceasedgentlemanhadinheritedfromhisfatherhasbeencarriedoff。ThediscoverywasfirstmadebyMr。SherlockHolmesandDr。Watson，whohadcalledatthehousewithMr。ThaddeusSholto，brotherofthedeceased。Byasingularpieceofgoodfortune，Mr。
AthelneyJones，thewell-knownmemberofthedetectivepoliceforce，happenedtobeattheNorwoodpolicestationandwasonthegroundwithinhalfanhourofthefirstalarm。Histrainedandexperiencedfacultieswereatoncedirectedtowardsthedetectionofthecriminals，withthegratifyingresultthatthebrother，ThaddeusSholto，hasalreadybeenarrested，togetherwiththehousekeeper，Mrs。
Bernstone，anIndianbutlernamedLalRao，andaporter，orgatekeeper，namedMcMurdo。Itisquitecertainthatthethieforthieveswerewellacquaintedwiththehouse，forMr。Jones’swell-knowntechnicalknowledgeandhispowersofminuteobservationhaveenabledhimtoproveconclusivelythatthemiscreantscouldnothaveenteredbythedoororbythewindowbutmusthavemadetheirwayacrosstheroofofthebuilding，andsothroughatrapdoorintoaroomwhichcommunicatedwiththatinwhichthebodywasfound。Thisfact，whichhasbeenveryclearlymadeout，provesconclusivelythatitwasnomerehaphazardburglary。Thepromptandenergeticactionoftheofficersofthelawshowsthegreatadvantageofthepresenceonsuchoccasionsofasinglevigorousandmasterfulmind。Wecannotbutthinkthatitsuppliesanargumenttothosewhowouldwishtoseeourdetectivesmorede-centralized，andsobroughtintocloserandmoreeffectivetouchwiththecaseswhichitistheirdutytoinvestigate。
\"Isn’titgorgeous！\"saidHolmes，grinningoverhiscoffeecup。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofit？\"
\"Ithinkthatwehavehadacloseshaveourselvesofbeingarrestedforthecrime。\"
\"SodoI。Iwouldn’tanswerforoursafetynowifheshouldhappentohaveanotherofhisattacksofenergy。\"
Atthismomenttherewasaloudringatthebell，andIcouldhearMrs。Hudson，ourlandlady，raisinghervoiceinawailofexpostulationanddismay。
\"Byheavens，Holmes，\"Isaid，halfrising，\"Ibelievethattheyarereallyafterus。\"
\"No，it’snotquitesobadasthat。Itistheunofficialforce-
theBakerStreetirregulars。\"
Ashespoke，therecameaswiftpatteringofnakedfeetuponthestairs，aclatterofhighvoices，andinrushedadozendirtyandraggedlittlestreetArabs。Therewassomeshowofdisciplineamongthem，despitetheirtumultuousentry，fortheyinstantlydrewupinlineandstoodfacinguswithexpectantfaces。Oneoftheirnumber，tallerandolderthantheothers，stoodforwardwithanairofloungingsuperioritywhichwasveryfunnyinsuchadisreputablelittlescarecrow。
\"Gotyourmessage，sir，\"saidhe，\"andbrought’emonsharp。Threebobandatannerfortickets。\"
\"Hereyouare，\"saidHolmes，producingsomesilver。\"Infuturetheycanreporttoyou，Wiggins，andyoutome。Icannothavethehouseinvadedinthisway。However，itisjustaswellthatyoushouldallheartheinstructions。IwanttofindthewhereaboutsofasteamlaunchcalledtheAurora，ownerMordecaiSmith，blackwithtworedstreaks，funnelblackwithawhiteband。Sheisdowntheriversomewhere。IwantoneboytobeatMordecaiSmith’slanding-stageoppositeMillbanktosayiftheboatcomesback。Youmustdivideitoutamongyourselvesanddobothbanksthoroughly。Letmeknowthemomentyouhavenews。Isthatallclear？\"
\"Yes，guv’nor，\"saidWiggins。
\"Theoldscaleofpay，andaguineatotheboywhofindstheboat。
Here’sadayinadvance。Nowoffyougo！\"
Hehandedthemashillingeach，andawaytheybuzzeddownthestairs，andIsawthemamomentlaterstreamingdownthestreet。
\"Ifthelaunchisabovewatertheywillfindher，\"saidHolmesasherosefromthetableandlithispipe。\"Theycangoeverywhere，seeeverything，overheareveryone。Iexpecttohearbeforeeveningthattheyhavespottedher。Inthemeanwhile，wecandonothingbutawaitresults。WecannotpickupthebrokentrailuntilwefindeithertheAuroraorMr。MordecaiSmith。\"
\"Tobycouldeatthesescraps，Idaresay。Areyougoingtobed，Holmes？\"
\"No：Iamnottired。Ihaveacuriousconstitution。Ineverrememberfeelingtiredbywork，thoughidlenessexhaustsmecompletely。Iamgoingtosmokeandtothinkoverthisqueerbusinesstowhichmyfairclienthasintroducedus。Ifevermanhadaneasytask，thisofoursoughttobe。Wooden-leggedmenarenotsocommon，buttheothermanmust，Ishouldthink，beabsolutelyunique。\"
\"Thatothermanagain！\"
\"Ihavenowishtomakeamysteryofhimtoyou，anyway。Butyoumusthaveformedyourownopinion。Now，doconsiderthedata。
Diminutivefootmarks，toesneverfetteredbyboots，nakedfeet，stone-headedwoodenmace，greatagility，smallpoisoneddarts。Whatdoyoumakeofallthis？\"
\"Asavage！\"Iexclaimed。\"PerhapsoneofthoseIndianswhoweretheassociatesofJonathanSmall。\"
\"Hardlythat，\"saidhe。\"WhenfirstIsawsignsofstrangeweaponsI
wasinclinedtothinkso，buttheremarkablecharacterofthefootmarkscausedmetoreconsidermyviews。SomeoftheinhabitantsoftheIndianPeninsulaaresmallmen，butnonecouldhaveleftsuchmarksasthat。TheHindooproperhaslongandthinfeet。Thesandal-wearingMohammedanhasthegreattoewellseparatedfromtheothersbecausethethongiscommonlypassedbetween。Theselittledarts，too，couldonlybeshotinoneway。Theyarefromablow-pipe。Now，then，wherearewetofindoursavage？\"
\"SouthAmerica，\"Ihazarded。
Hestretchedhishandupandtookdownabulkyvolumefromtheshelf。
\"Thisisthefirstvolumeofagazetteerwhichisnowbeingpublished。Itmaybelookeduponastheverylatestauthority。Whathavewehere？
\"AndamanIslands，situated340milestothenorthofSumatra，intheBayofBengal。
Hum！hum！What’sallthis？Moistclimate，coralreefs，sharks，PortBlair，convictbarracks，RutlandIsland，cottonwoods-Ah，hereweare！
\"TheaboriginesoftheAndamanIslandsmayperhapsclaimthedistinctionofbeingthesmallestraceuponthisearth，thoughsomeanthropologistsprefertheBushmenofAfrica，theDiggerIndiansofAmerica，andtheTerradelFuegians。Theaverageheightisratherbelowfourfeet，althoughmanyfull-grownadultsmaybefoundwhoareverymuchsmallerthanthis。Theyareafierce，morose，andintractablepeople，thoughcapableoffortningmostdevotedfriendshipswhentheirconfidencehasoncebeengained。
Markthat，Watson。Now，thenlistentothis。
\"Theyarenaturallyhideous，havinglarge，misshapenheads，smallfierceeyes，anddistortedfeatures。Theirfeetandhands，however，areremarkablysmall。Sointractableandfiercearethey，thatalltheeffortsoftheBritishofficialshavefailedtowinthemoverinanydegree。Theyhavealwaysbeenaterrortoshipwreckedcrews，brainingthesurvivorswiththeirstone-headedclubsorshootingthemwiththeirpoisonedarrows。Thesemassacresareinvariablyconcludedbyacannibalfeast。
Nice，amiablepeople，Watson！Ifthisfellowhadbeenlefttohisownunaideddevices，thisaffairmighthavetakenanevenmoreghastlyturn。Ifancythat，evenasitis，JonathanSmallwouldgiveagooddealnottohaveemployedhim。\"
\"Buthowcamehetohavesosingularacompanion？\"
\"Ah，thatismorethanIcantell。Since，however，wehadalreadydeterminedthatSmallhadcomefromtheAndamans，itisnotsoverywonderfulthatthisislandershouldbewithhim。Nodoubtweshallknowallaboutitintime。Lookhere，Watson;youlookregularlydone。
LiedownthereonthesofaandseeifIcanputyoutosleep。\"
Hetookuphisviolinfromthecorner，andasIstretchedmyselfouthebegantoplaysomelow，dreamy，melodiousair-hisown，nodoubt，forhehadaremarkablegiftforimprovisation。Ihaveavagueremembranceofhisgauntlimbs，hisearnestfaceandtheriseandfallofhisbow。ThenIseemedtobefloatedpeacefullyawayuponasoftseaofsounduntilIfoundmyselfindreamland，withthesweetfaceofMaryMorstanlookingdownuponme。
Chapter9
ABREAKINTHECHAIN
ItwaslateintheafternoonbeforeIwoke，strengthenedandrefreshed。SherlockHolmesstillsatexactlyasIhadlefthim，savethathehadlaidasidehisviolinandwasdeepinabook。HelookedacrossatmeasIstirred，andInoticedthathisfacewasdarkandtroubled。
\"Youhavesleptsoundly，\"hesaid。\"Ifearedthatourtalkwouldwakeyou。\"
\"Iheardnothing，\"Ianswered。\"Haveyouhadfreshnews，then？\"
\"Unfortunately，no。IconfessthatIamsurprisedanddisappointed。Iexpectedsomethingdefinitebythistime。Wigginshasjustbeenuptoreport。Hesaysthatnotracecanbefoundofthelaunch。Itisaprovokingcheck，foreveryhourisofimportance。\"
\"CanIdoanything？Iamperfectlyfreshnow，andquitereadyforanothernight’souting。\"
\"No;wecandonothing。Wecanonlywait。Ifwegoourselvesthemessagemightcomeinourabsenceanddelaybecaused。Youcandowhatyouwill，butImustremainonguard。\"
\"ThenIshallrunovertoCamberwellandcalluponMrs。CecilForrester。Sheaskedmeto，yesterday。\"
\"OnMrs。CecilForrester？\"askedHolmeswiththetwinkleofasmileinhiseyes。
\"Well，ofcourseonMissMorstan，too。Theywereanxioustohearwhathappened。\"
\"Iwouldnottellthemtoomuch，\"saidHolmes。\"Womenarenevertobeentirelytrusted-notthebestofthem。\"
Ididnotpausetoargueoverthisatrocioussentiment。
\"Ishallbebackinanhourortwo，\"Iremarked。
\"Allright！Goodluck！But，Isay，ifyouarecrossingtheriveryoumayaswellreturnToby，forIdon’tthinkitisatalllikelythatweshallhaveanyuseforhimnow。\"
Itookourmongrelaccordinglyandlefthim，togetherwithahalf-sovereign，attheoldnaturalist’sinPinchinLane。AtCamberwellIfoundMissMorstanalittlewearyafterhernight’sadventuresbutveryeagertohearthenews。Mrs。Forrester，too，wasfullofcuriosity。Itoldthemallthatwehaddone，suppressing，however，themoredreadfulpartsofthetragedy。Thus，althoughIspokeofMr。
Sholto’sdeath，Isaidnothingoftheexactmannerandmethodofit。
Withallmyomissions，however，therewasenoughtostartleandamazethem。
\"Itisaromance！\"criedMrs。Forrester。\"Aninjuredlady，halfamillionintreasure，ablackcannibal，andawoodenleggedruffian。
Theytaketheplaceoftheconventionaldragonorwickedearl。\"
\"Andtwoknight-errantstotherescue，\"addedMissMorstanwithabrightglanceatme。
\"Why，Mary，yourfortunedependsupontheissueofthissearch。I
don’tthinkthatyouarenearlyexcitedenough。justimaginewhatitmustbetobesorichandtohavetheworldatyourfeet！\"
Itsentalittlethrillofjoytomyhearttonoticethatsheshowednosignofelationattheprospect。Onthecontrary，shegaveatossofherproudhead，asthoughthematterwereoneinwhichshetooksmallinterest。
\"ItisforMr。ThaddeusSholtothatIamanxious，\"shesaid。
\"Nothingelseisofanyconsequence;butIthinkthathehasbehavedmostkindlyandhonourablythroughout。Itisourdutytoclearhimofthisdreadfulandunfoundedcharge。\"
ItwaseveningbeforeIleftCamberwell，andquitedarkbythetimeIreachedhome。Mycompanion’sbookandpipelaybyhischair，buthehaddisappeared。Ilookedaboutinthehopeofseeinganote，buttherewasnone。
\"IsupposethatMr。SherlockHolmeshasgoneout，\"IsaidtoMrs。
Hudsonasshecameuptolowertheblinds。
\"No，sir。Hehasgonetohisroom，sir。Doyouknow，sir，\"sinkinghervoiceintoanimpressivewhisper，\"Iamafraidforhishealth。\"
\"Whyso，Mrs。Hudson？\"
\"Well，he’sthatstrange，sir。Afteryouwasgonehewalkedandhewalked，upanddown，andupanddown，untilIwaswearyofthesoundofhisfootstep。ThenIheardhimtalkingtohimselfandmuttering，andeverytimethebellrangouthecameonthestairhead，with`Whatisthat，Mrs。Hudson？’Andnowhehasslammedofftohisroom，butIcanhearhimwalkingawaythesameasever。Ihopehe’snotgoingtobeill，sir。Iventuredtosaysomethingtohimaboutcool。
medicine，butheturnedonme，sir，withsuchalookthatIdon’tknowhoweverIgotoutoftheroom。\"
\"Idon’tthinkthatyouhaveanycausetobeuneasy，Mrs。Hudson，\"I
answered。\"Ihaveseenhimlikethisbefore。Hehassomesmallmatteruponhismindwhichmakeshimrestless。\"
Itriedtospeaklightlytoourworthylandlady，butIwasmyselfsomewhatuneasywhenthroughthelongnightIstillfromtimetotimeheardthedullsoundofhistread，andknewhowhiskeenspiritwaschafingagainstthisinvoluntaryinaction。
Atbreakfast-timehelookedwornandhaggard，withalittlefleckoffeverishcolouruponeithercheek。
\"Youareknockingyourselfup，oldman，\"Iremarked。\"Iheardyoumarchingaboutinthenight。\"
\"No，Icouldnotsleep，\"heanswered。\"Thisinfernalproblemisconsumingme。Itistoomuchtobebalkedbysopettyanobstacle，whenallelsehadbeenovercome。Iknowthemen，thelaunch，everything;andyetIcangetnonews。Ihavesetotheragenciesatworkandusedeverymeansatmydisposal。Thewholeriverhasbeensearchedoneitherside，butthereisnonews，norhasMrs。Smithheardofherhusband。Ishallcometotheconclusionsoonthattheyhavescuttledthecraft。Butthereareobjectionstothat。\"
\"OrthatMrs。Smithhasputusonawrongscent。\"
\"No，Ithinkthatmaybedismissed。Ihadinquiriesmade，andthereisalaunchofthatdescription。\"
\"Couldithavegoneuptheriver？\"
\"Ihaveconsideredthatpossibility，tooandthereisasearch-partywhowillworkupasfarasRichmond。Ifnonewscomesto-dayIshallstartoffmyselftomorrowandgoforthemenratherthantheboat。Butsurely，surely，weshallhearsomething。\"
Wedidnot，however。NotawordcametouseitherfromWigginsorfromtheotheragencies。TherewerearticlesinmostofthepapersupontheNorwoodtragedy。TheyallappearedtoberatherhostiletotheunfortunateThaddeusSholto。Nofreshdetailsweretobefound，however，inanyofthem，savethataninquestwastobehelduponthefollowingday。IwalkedovertoCamberwellintheeveningtoreportourill-successtotheladies，andonmyreturnIfoundHolmesdejectedandsomewhatmorose。Hewouldhardlyreplytomyquestionsandbusiedhimselfalleveninginanobtrusechemicalanalysiswhichinvolvedmuchheatingofretortsanddistillingofvapours，endingatlastinasmellwhichfairlydrovemeoutoftheapartment。UptothesmallhoursofthemorningIcouldheartheclinkingofhistest-tubeswhichtoldmethathewasstillengagedinhismalodorousexperiment。
IntheearlydawnIwokewithastartandwassurprisedtofindhimstandingbymybedside，cladinarudesailordresswithapea-jacketandacoarseredscarfroundhisneck。
\"Iamoffdowntheriver，Watson，\"saidhe。\"Ihavebeenturningitoverinmymind，andIcanseeonlyonewayoutofit。Itisworthtrying，atallevents。\"
\"SurelyIcancomewithyou，then？\"saidI。
\"No;youcanbemuchmoreusefulifyouwillremainhereasmyrepresentative。Iamloathtogo，foritisquiteonthecardsthatsomemessagemaycomeduringtheday，thoughWigginswasdespondentaboutitlastnight。Iwantyoutoopenallnotesandtelegrams，andtoactonyourownjudgmentifanynewsshouldcome。CanIrelyuponyou？\"
\"Mostcertainly。\"
\"Iamafraidthatyouwillnotbeabletowiretome，forIcanhardlytellyetwhereImayfindmyself。IfIaminluck，however，I
maynotbegonesoverylong。IshallhavenewsofsomesortorotherbeforeIgetback。\"
Ihadheardnothingofhimbybreakfasttime。OnopeningtheStandard，however，Ifoundthattherewasafreshallusiontothebusiness。
WithreferencetotheUpperNorwoodtragedy[itremarked]wehavereasontobelievethatthematterpromisestobeevenmorecomplexandmysteriousthanwasoriginallysupposed。FreshevidencehasshownthatitisquiteimpossiblethatMr。ThaddeusSholtocouldhavebeeninanywayconcernedinthematter。Heandthehousekeeper，Mrs。Bernstone，werebothreleasedyesterdayevening。Itisbelieved，however，thatthepolicehaveaclueastotherealculprits，andthatitisbeingprosecutedbyMr。AthelneyJones，ofScotlandYard，withallhiswell-knownenergyandsagacity。Furtherarrestsmaybeexpectedatanymoment。
\"Thatissatisfactorysofarasitgoes，\"thoughtI。\"FriendSholtoissafe，atanyrate。Iwonderwhatthefreshcluemaybe，thoughitseemstobeastereotypedformwheneverthepolicehavemadeablunder。\"
Itossedthepaperdownuponthetable，butatthatmomentmyeyecaughtanadvertisementintheagonycolumn。Itraninthisway：
Lost-WhereasMordecaiSmith，boatman，andhissonJim，leftSmith’sWharfatoraboutthreeo’clocklastTuesdaymorninginthesteamlaunchAurora，blackwithtworedstripes，funnelblackwithawhiteband，thesumoffivepoundswillbepaidtoanyonewhocangiveinformationtoMrs。Smith，atSmith’sWharf，orat221B，BakerStreet，astothewhereaboutsofthesaidMordecaiSmithandthelaunchAurora。
ThiswasclearlyHolmes’sdoing。TheBakerStreetaddresswasenoughtoprovethat。Itstruckmeasratheringeniousbecauseitmightbereadbythefugitiveswithouttheirseeinginitmorethanthenaturalanxietyofawifeforhermissinghusband。
Itwasalongday。Everytimethataknockcametothedoororasharpsteppassedinthestreet，IimaginedthatitwaseitherHolmesreturningorananswertohisadvertisement。Itriedtoread，butmythoughtswouldwanderofftoourstrangequestandtotheill-assortedandvillainouspairwhomwewerepursuing。Couldtherebe，Iwondered，someradicalflawinmycompanion’sreasoning？Mighthenotbesufferingfromsomehugeself-deception？Wasitnotpossiblethathisnimbleandspeculativemindhadbuiltupthiswildtheoryuponfaultypremises？Ihadneverknownhimtobewrong，andyetthekeenestreasonermayoccasionallybedeceived。Hewaslikely，I
thought，tofallintoerrorthroughtheover-refinementofhislogic-hispreferenceforasubtleandbizarreexplanationwhenaplainerandmorecommonplaceonelayreadytohishand。Yet，ontheotherhand，Ihadmyselfseentheevidence，andIhadheardthereasonsforhisdeductions。WhenIlookedbackonthelongchainofcuriouscircumstances，manyofthemtrivialinthemselvesbutalltendinginthesamedirection，IcouldnotdisguisefrommyselfthatevenifHolmes’sexplanationwereincorrectthetruetheorymustbeequallyoutreandstartling。
Atthreeo’clockontheafternoontherewasaloudpealatthebell，anauthoritativevoiceinthehall，and，tomysurprise，nolessapersonthanMr。AthelneyJoneswasshownuptome。Verydifferentwashe，however，fromthebrusqueandmasterfulprofessorofcommonsensewhohadtakenoverthecasesoconfidentlyatUpperNorwood。Hisexpressionwasdowncast，andhisbearingmeekandevenapologetic。
\"Good-day，sir，good-day，\"saidhe。\"Mr。SherlockHolmesisout，I
understand。\"
\"Yes，andIcannotbesurewhenhewillbeback。Butperhapsyouwouldcaretowait。Takethatchairandtryoneofthesecigars。\"
\"Thankyou;Idon’tmindifIdo，\"saidhe，moppinghisfacewitharedbandannahandkerchief。
\"Andawhiskyandsoda？\"
\"Well，halfaglass。Itisveryhotforthetimeofyear，andIhavehadagooddealtoworryandtryme。YouknowmytheoryaboutthisNorwoodcase？\"
\"Irememberthatyouexpressedone。\"
\"Well，Ihavebeenobligedtoreconsiderit。IhadmynetdrawntightlyroundMr。Sholto，sir，whenpophewentthroughaholeinthemiddleofit。Hewasabletoproveanalibiwhichcouldnotbeshaken。Fromthetimethathelefthisbrothersroomhewasneveroutofsightofsomeoneorother。Soitcouldnotbehewhoclimbedoverroofsandthroughtrapdoors。It’saverydarkcase，andmyprofessionalcreditisatstake。Ishouldbeverygladofalittleassistance。\"
\"Weallneedhelpsometimes，\"saidI。
\"Yourfriend，Mr。SherlockHolmes，isawonderfulman，sir，\"saidheinahuskyandconfidentialvoice。\"He’samanwhoisnottobebeat。Ihaveknownthatyoungmangointoagoodmanycases，butI
neversawthecaseyetthathecouldnotthrowalightupon。Heisirregularinhismethodsandalittlequickperhapsinjumpingattheories，but，onthewhole，Ithinkhewouldhavemadeamostpromisingofficer，andIdon’tcarewhoknowsit。Ihavehadawirefromhimthismorning，bywhichIunderstandthathehasgotsomecluetothisSholtobusiness。Hereishismessage。\"
Hetookthetelegramoutofhispocketandhandedittome。ItwasdatedfromPoplarattwelveo’clock。
GotoBakerStreetatonce[itsaid]。IfIhavenotreturned，waitforme。IamcloseonthetrackoftheSholtogang。Youcancomewithusto-nightifyouwanttobeinatthefinish。
\"Thissoundswell。Hehasevidentlypickedupthescentagain，\"saidI。
\"Ah，thenhehasbeenatfaulttoo，\"exclaimedJoneswithevidentsatisfaction。\"Eventhebestofusarethrownoffsometimes。Ofcoursethismayprovetobeafalsealarmbutitismydutyasanofficerofthelawtoallownochancetoslip。Butthereissomeoneatthedoor。Perhapsthisishe。\"
Aheavystepwasheardascendingthestair，withagreatwheezingandrattlingasfromamanwhowassorelyputtoitforbreath。Onceortwicehestopped，asthoughtheclimbweretoomuchforhim，butatlasthemadehiswaytoourdoorandentered。Hisappearancecorrespondedtothesoundswhichwehadheard。Hewasanagedman，cladinseafaringgarb，withanoldpea-jacketbuttoneduptohisthroat。Hisbackwasbowed，hiskneeswereshaky，andhisbreathingwaspainfullyasthmatic。Asheleaneduponathickoakencudgelhisshouldersheavedintheefforttodrawtheairintohislungs。Hehadacolouredscarfroundhischin，andIcouldseelittleofhisfacesaveapairofkeendarkeyes，overhungbybushywhitebrowsandlonggrayside-whiskers。Altogetherhegavemetheimpressionofarespectablemastermarinerwhohadfallenintoyearsandpoverty。
\"Whatisit，myman？\"Iasked。
Helookedabouthimintheslowmethodicalfashionofoldage。
\"IsMr。SherlockHolmeshere？\"saidhe。
\"No;butIamactingforhim。Youcantellmeanymessageyouhaveforhim。\"
\"ItwastohimhimselfIwastotellit，\"saidhe。
\"ButItellyouthatIamactingforhim。WasitaboutMordecaiSmith’sboat？\"
\"Yes。Iknowswellwhereitis。An’Iknowswherethemenheisafterare。An’Iknowswherethetreasureis。Iknowsallaboutit。\"
\"Thentellme，andIshalllethimknow。\"
\"ItwastohimIwastotellit，\"herepeatedwiththepetulantobstinacyofaveryoldman。
\"Well，youmustwaitforhim。\"
\"No，no;Iain’tgoin’toloseawholedaytopleasenoone。IfMr。Holmesain’there，thenMr。Holmesmustfinditalloutforhimself。Idon’tcareaboutthelookofeitherofyou，andIwon’ttellaword。\"
Heshuffledtowardsthedoor，butAthelneyJonesgotinfrontofhim。
\"Waitabit，myfriend，\"saidhe。\"Youhaveimportantinformation，andyoumustnotwalkoff。Weshallkeepyou，whetheryoulikeornot，untilourfriendreturns。\"
Theoldmanmadealittleruntowardsthedoor，but，asAthelneyJonesputhisbroadbackupagainstit，herecognizedtheuselessnessofresistance。
\"Prettysorto’treatmentthis！\"hecried，stampinghisstick。\"I
comeheretoseeagentleman，andyoutwo，whoIneversawinmylife，seizemeandtreatmeinthisfashion！\"
\"Youwillbenonetheworse，\"Isaid。\"Weshallrecompenseyouforthelossofyourtime。Sitoverhereonthesofa，andyouwillnothavelongtowait。\"
Hecameacrosssullenlyenoughandseatedhimselfwithhisfacerestingonhishands。JonesandIresumedourcigarsandourtalk。
Suddenly，however，Holmes’svoicebrokeinuponus。
\"Ithinkthatyoumightoffermeacigartoo，\"hesaid。
Webothstartedinourchairs。TherewasHolmessittingclosetouswithanairofquietamusement。
\"Holmes！’Iexclaimed。\"Youhere！Butwhereistheoldman？\"
\"Hereistheoldman\"saidhe，holdingoutaheapofwhitehair。
\"Hereheis，wig，whiskers，eyebrows，andall。Ithoughtmydisguisewasprettygood，butIhardlyexpectedthatitwouldstandthattest。\"
\"Ah，yourogue！\"criedJones，highlydelighted。\"Youwouldhavemadeanactorandarareone。Youhadtheproperworkhousecough，andthoseweaklegsofyoursareworthtenpoundaweek。IthoughtIknewtheglintofyoureye，though。Youdidn’tgetawayfromussoeasily，yousee。\"
\"Ihavebeenworkinginthatget-upallday，\"saidhe，lightinghiscigar。\"Yousee，agoodmanyofthecriminalclassesbegintoknowme-especiallysinceourfriendheretooktopublishingsomeofmycases：soIcanonlygoonthewar-pathundersomesimpledisguiselikethis。Yougotmywire？\"
\"Yes;thatwaswhatbroughtmehere。\"
\"Howhasyourcaseprospered？\"
\"Ithasallcometonothing。Ihavehadtoreleasetwoofmyprisoners，andthereisnoevidenceagainsttheothertwo。\"
\"Nevermind。Weshallgiveyoutwoothersintheplaceofthem。
Butyoumustputyourselfundermyorders。Youarewelcometoalltheofficialcredit，butyoumustactonthelinesthatIpointout。
Isthatagreed？\"
\"Entirely，ifyouwillhelpmetothemen。\"
\"Well，then，inthefirstplaceIshallwantafastpolice-boat-asteamlaunch-tobeattheWestminsterStairsatseveno’clock。\"
\"Thatiseasilymanaged。Thereisalwaysoneaboutthere，butI
canstepacrosstheroadandtelephonetomakesure。\"
\"ThenIshallwanttwostaunchmenincaseofresistance。\"
\"Therewillbetwoorthreeintheboat。Whatelse？\"
\"Whenwesecurethemenweshallgetthetreasure。Ithinkthatitwouldbeapleasuretomyfriendheretotaketheboxroundtotheyoungladytowhomhalfofitrightfullybelongs。Letherbethefirsttoopenit。Eh，Watson？\"
\"Itwouldbeagreatpleasuretome。\"
\"Ratheranirregularproceeding，\"saidJones，shakinghishead。
\"However，thewholethingisirregular，andIsupposewemustwinkatit。Thetreasuremustafterwardsbehandedovertotheauthoritiesuntilaftertheofficialinvestigation。\"
\"Certainly。Thatiseasilymanaged。Oneotherpoint。IshouldmuchliketohaveafewdetailsaboutthismatterfromthelipsofJonathanSmallhimself。YouknowIliketoworkthedetailsofmycasesout。
Thereisnoobjectiontomyhavinganunofficialinterviewwithhim，eitherhereinmyroomsorelsewhere，aslongasheisefficientlyguarded？\"
Well，youaremasterofthesituation。IhavehadnoproofyetoftheexistenceofthisJonathanSmall。However，ifyoucancatchhim，I
don’tseehowIcanrefuseyouaninterviewwithhim。\"
\"Thatisunderstood，then？\"
\"Perfectly。Isthereanythingelse？\"
\"OnlythatIinsistuponyourdiningwithus。Itwillbereadyinhalfanhour。Ihaveoystersandabraceofgrouse，withsomethingalittlechoiceinwhitewines-Watson，youhaveneveryetrecognizedmymeritsasahousekeeper。\"
Chapter10
THEENDOFTHEISLANDER
Ourmealwasamerryone。Holmescouldtalkexceedinglywellwhenhechose，andthatnighthedidchoose。Heappearedtobeinastateofnervousexaltation。Ihaveneverknownhimsobrilliant。Hespokeonaquicksuccessionofsubjects-onmiracleplays，onmediaevalpottery，onStradivariusviolins，ontheBuddhismofCeylon，andonthewarshipsofthefuture-handlingeachasthoughhehadmadeaspecialstudyofit。Hisbrighthumourmarkedthereactionfromhisblackdepressionoftheprecedingdays。AthelneyJonesprovedtobeasociablesoulinhishoursofrelaxationandfacedhisdinnerwiththeairofabonvivant。Formyself，Ifeltelatedatthethoughtthatwewerenearingtheendofourtask，andIcaughtsomethingofHolmes’sgaiety。Noneofusalludedduringdinnertothecausewhichhadbroughtustogether。
WhentheclothwasclearedHolmesglancedathiswatchandfilledupthreeglasseswithport。
\"Onebumper，\"saidhe，\"tothesuccessofourlittleexpedition。Andnowitishightimewewereoff。Haveyouapistol，Watson？\"
\"Ihavemyoldservice-revolverinmydesk。\"
Youhadbesttakeit，then。Itiswelltobeprepared。Iseethatthecabisatthedoor。Iordereditforhalf-pastsix。\"
ItwasalittlepastsevenbeforewereachedtheWestminsterwharfandfoundourlaunchawaitingus。Holmeseyeditcritically。
\"Isthereanythingtomarkitasapolice-boat？\"
\"Yes，thatgreenlampattheside。\"
\"Thentakeitoff。\"
Thesmallchangewasmade，westeppedonboard，andtheropeswerecastoff。Jones，Holmes，andIsatinthestem。Therewasonemanattherudder，onetotendtheengines，andtwoburlypolice-inspectorsforward。
\"Whereto？\"askedJones。
\"TotheTower。TellthemtostopoppositetoJacobson’sYard。\"
Ourcraftwasevidentlyaveryfastone。Weshotpastthelonglinesofloadedbargesasthoughtheywerestationary。Holmessmiledwithsatisfactionasweoverhauledariversteamerandleftherbehindus。
\"Weoughttobeabletocatchanythingontheriver，\"hesaid。
\"Well，hardlythat。Buttherearenotmanylaunchestobeatus。\"
\"WeshallhavetocatchtheAurora，andshehasanameforbeingaclipper。Iwilltellyouhowthelandlies，Watson。YourecollecthowannoyedIwasatbeingbaulkedbysosmallathing？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，Igavemymindathoroughrestbyplungingintoachemicalanalysis。Oneofourgreateststatesmenhassaidthatachangeofworkisthebestrest。Soitis。WhenIhadsucceededindissolvingthehydrocarbonwhichIwasatworkat，IcamebacktoourproblemoftheSholtos，andthoughtthewholematteroutagain。Myboyshadbeenuptheriveranddowntheriverwithoutresult。Thelaunchwasnotatanylanding-stageorwharf，norhaditreturned。Yetitcouldhardlyhavebeenscuttledtohidetheirtraces，thoughthatalwaysremainedasapossiblehypothesisifallelsefailed。IknewthatthismanSmallhadacertaindegreeoflowcunning，butIdidnotthinkhimcapableofanythinginthenatureofdelicatefinesse。Thatisusuallyaproductofhighereducation。IthenreflectedthatsincehehadcertainlybeeninLondonsometime-aswehadevidencethathemaintainedacontinualwatchoverPondicherryLodge-hecouldhardlyleaveatamoment’snotice，butwouldneedsomelittletime，ifitwereonlyaday，toarrangehisaffairs。Thatwasthebalanceofprobability，atanyrate。\"
\"Itseemstometobealittleweak，\"saidI;\"itismoreprobablethathehadarrangedhisaffairsbeforeeverhesetoutuponhisexpedition。\"
\"No，Ihardlythinkso。Thislairofhiswouldbetoovaluablearetreatincaseofneedforhimtogiveitupuntilhewassurethathecoulddowithoutit。Butasecondconsiderationstruckme。JonathanSmallmusthavefeltthatthepeculiarappearanceofhiscompanion，howevermuchhemayhavetop-coatedhim，wouldgiverisetogossip，andpossiblybeassociatedwiththisNorwoodtragedy。Hewasquitesharpenoughtoseethat。Theyhadstartedfromtheirheadquartersundercoverofdarkness，。andhewouldwishtogetbackbeforeitwasbroadlight。Now，itwaspastthreeo’clock，accordingtoMrs。
Smith，whentheygottheboat。Itwouldbequitebright，andpeoplewouldbeaboutinanhourorso。Therefore，Iargued，theydidnotgoveryfar。TheypaidSmithwelltoholdhistongue，reservedhislaunchforthefinalescape，andhurriedtotheirlodgingswiththetreasure-box。Inacoupleofnights，whentheyhadtimetoseewhatviewthepaperstook，andwhethertherewasanysuspicion，theywouldmaketheirwayundercoverofdarknesstosomeshipatGravesendorintheDowns，wherenodoubttheyhadalreadyarrangedforpassagestoAmericaortheColonies。\"
\"Butthelaunch？Theycouldnothavetakenthattotheirlodgings。\"
\"Quiteso。Iarguedthatthelaunchmustbenogreatwayoff，inspiteofitsinvisibility。IthenputmyselfintheplaceofSmallandlookedatitasamanofhiscapacitywould。Hewouldprobablyconsiderthattosendbackthelaunchortokeepitatawharfwouldmakepursuiteasyifthepolicedidhappentogetonhistrack。How，then，couldheconcealthelaunchandyethaveherathandwhenwanted？IwonderedwhatIshoulddomyselfifIwereinhisshoes。I
couldonlythinkofonewayofdoingit。Imighthandthelaunchovertosomeboat-builderorrepairer，withdirectionstomakeatriflingchangeinher。Shewouldthenberemovedtohisshedoryard，andsobeeffectuallyconcealed，whileatthesametimeIcouldhaveheratafewhours’notice。\"
\"Thatseemssimpleenough。\"
\"Itisjusttheseverysimplethingswhichareextremelyliabletobeoverlooked。However，Ideterminedtoactontheidea。Istartedatonceinthisharmlessseaman’srigandinquiredatalltheyardsdowntheriver。Idrewblankatfifteen，butatthesixteenth-
Jacobson’s-IlearnedthattheAurorahadbeenhandedovertothemtwodaysagobyawoodenleggedman，withsometrivialdirectionsastoherrudder。`Thereain’tnaughtamisswithherrudder，’saidtheforeman。`Thereshelies，withtheredstreaks。’AtthatmomentwhoshouldcomedownbutMordecaiSmith，themissingowner。Hewasrathertheworseforliquor。Ishouldnot，ofcourse，haveknownhim，buthebellowedouthisnameandthenameofhislaunch。`I
wantherto-nightateighto’clock，’saidhe-`eighto’clocksharp，mind，forIhavetwogentlemenwhowon’tbekeptwaiting。’Theyhadevidentlypaidhimwell，forhewasveryflushofmoney，chuckingshillingsabouttothemen。Ifollowedhimsomedistance，buthesubsidedintoanalehouse;soIwentbacktotheyard，and，happeningtopickuponeofmyboysontheway，Istationedhimasasentryoverthelaunch。Heistostandatthewater’sedgeandwavehishandkerchieftouswhentheystart。Weshallbelyingoffinthestream，anditwillbeastrangethingifwedonottakemen，treasure，andall。\"
\"Youhaveplanneditallveryneatly，whethertheyaretherightmenornot，\"saidJones;\"butiftheaffairwereinmyhandsIshouldhavehadabodyofpoliceinJacobson’sYardandarrestedthemwhentheycamedown。\"
\"Whichwouldhavebeennever。ThismanSmallisaprettyshrewdfellow。Hewouldsendascoutonahead，andifanythingmadehimsuspicioushewouldliesnugforanotherweek。\"
\"ButyoumighthavestucktoMordecaiSmith，andsobeenledtotheirhidingplace，\"saidI。
\"InthatcaseIshouldhavewastedmyday。IthinkthatitisahundredtooneagainstSmithknowingwheretheylive。Aslongashehasliquorandgoodpay，whyshouldheaskquestions？Theysendhimmessageswhattodo。No，Ithoughtovereverypossiblecourse，andthisisthebest。\"
Whilethisconversationhadbeenproceeding，wehadbeenshootingthelongseriesofbridgeswhichspantheThames。AswepassedtheCitythelastraysofthesunweregildingthecrossuponthesummitofSt。Paul’s。ItwastwilightbeforewereachedtheTower。
\"ThatisJacobson’sYard，\"saidHolmes，pointingtoabristleofmastsandriggingontheSurreyside。\"Cruisegentlyupanddownhereundercoverofthisstringoflighters。\"Hetookapairofnight-glassesfromhispocketandgazedsometimeattheshore。\"Iseemysentryathispost，\"heremarked，\"butnosignofahandkerchief。\"
\"Supposewegodownstreamashortwayandlieinwaitforthem，\"
saidJoneseagerly。
Wewerealleagerbythistime，eventhepolicemenandstokers，whohadaveryvagueideaofwhatwasgoingforward。
\"Wehavenorighttotakeanythingforgranted，\"Holmesanswered。
\"Itiscertainlytentoonethattheygodownstream，butwecannotbecertain。Fromthispointwecanseetheentranceoftheyard，andtheycanhardlyseeus。Itwillbeaclearnightandplentyoflight。Wemuststaywhereweare。Seehowthefolkswarmoveryonderinthegaslight。\"
\"Theyarecomingfromworkintheyard。\"
\"Dirty-lookingrascals，butIsupposeeveryonehassomelittleimmortalsparkconcealedabouthim。Youwouldnotthinkit，tolookatthem。Thereisnoaprioriprobabilityaboutit。Astrangeenigmaisman！\"
\"Someonecallshimasoulconcealedinananimal，\"Isuggested。
\"WinwoodReadeisgooduponthesubject，\"saidHolmes。\"Heremarksthat，whiletheindividualmanisaninsolublepuzzle，intheaggregatehebecomesamathematicalcertainty。Youcan，forexample，neverforetellwhatanyonemanwilldo，butyoucansaywithprecisionwhatanaveragenumberwillbeupto。Individualsvary，butpercentagesremainconstant。Sosaysthestatistician。ButdoI
seeahandkerchief？Surelythereisawhiteflutteroveryonder。\"
\"Yes，itisyourboy，\"Icried。\"Icanseehimplainly。\"
\"AndthereistheAurora，\"exclaimedHolmes，\"andgoinglikethedevil！Fullspeedahead，engineer。Makeafterthatlaunchwiththeyellowlight。Byheaven，Ishallneverforgivemyselfifsheprovestohavetheheelsofus！\"
Shehadslippedunseenthroughtheyard-entranceandpassedbetweentwoorthreesmallcraft，sothatshehadfairlygotherspeedupbeforewesawher。Nowshewasflyingdownthestream，nearintotheshore，goingatatremendousrate。Joneslookedgravelyatherandshookhishead。
\"Sheisveryfast\"hesaid。\"Idoubtifweshallcatchher。\"
\"Wemustcatchher！\"criedHolmesbetweenhisteeth。\"Heapiton，stokers！Makeherdoallshecan！Ifweburntheboatwemusthavethem！\"
Wewerefairlyafterhernow。Thefurnacesroared，andthepowerfulengineswhizzedandclankedlikeagreatmetallicheart。
Hersharp，steepprowcutthroughthestillriver-waterandsenttworollingwavestorightandtoleftofus。Witheverythroboftheengineswesprangandquiveredlikealivingthing。Onegreatyellowlanterinourbowsthrewalong，flickeringfunneloflightinfrontofus。RightaheadadarkbluruponthewatershowedwheretheAuroralay，andtheswirlofwhitefoambehindherspokeofthepaceatwhichshewasgoing。Weflashedpastbarges，steamers，merchant-vessels，inandout，behindthisoneandroundtheother。
Voiceshailedusoutofthedarkness，butstilltheAurorathunderedon，andstillwefollowedcloseuponhertrack。
\"Pileiton，men，pileiton！\"criedHolmes，lookingdownintotheengine-room，whilethefierceglowfrombelowbeatuponhiseager，aquilineface。\"Geteverypoundofsteamyoucan。\"
\"Ithinkwegainalittle，\"saidJoneswithhiseyesontheAurora。
\"Iamsureofit\"saidI。\"Weshallbeupwithherinaveryfewminutes。\"
Atthatmoment，however，asourevilfatewouldhaveit，atugwiththreebargesintowblunderedinbetweenus。Itwasonlybyputtingourhelmharddownthatweavoidedacollision，andbeforewecouldroundthemandrecoverourwaytheAurorahadgainedagoodtwohundredyards。Shewasstill，however，wellinview，andthemurky，uncertaintwilightwassettlingintoaclear，starlitnight。
Ourboilerswerestrainedtotheirutmost，andthefrailshellvibratedandcreakedwiththefierceenergywhichwasdrivingusalong。Wehadshotthroughthepool，pasttheWestIndiaDocks，downthelongDeptfordReach，andupagainafterroundingtheIsleofDogs。
ThedullblurinfrontofusresolveditselfnowclearlyintothedaintyAurora。Jonesturnedoursearchlightuponher，sothatwecouldplainlyseethefiguresuponherdeck。Onemansatbythestern，withsomethingblackbetweenhisknees，overwhichhestooped。
Besidehimlayadarkmass，whichlookedlikeaNewfoundlanddog。
