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。