Theboyheldthetiller，whileagainsttheredglareofthefurnaceIcouldseeoldSmith，strippedtothewaistandshovellingcoalsfordearlife。Theymayhavehadsomedoubtatfirstastowhetherwewerereallypursuingthem，butnowaswefollowedeverywindingandturningwhichtheytooktherecouldnolongerbeanyquestionaboutit。AtGreenwichwewereaboutthreehundredpacesbehindthem。AtBlackwallwecouldnothavebeenmorethantwohundredandfifty。I
　　havecoursedmanycreaturesinmanycountriesduringmycheckeredcareer，butneverdidsportgivemesuchawildthrillasthismad，flyingman-huntdowntheThames。Steadilywedrewinuponthem，yardbyyard。Inthesilenceofthenightwecouldhearthepantingandclankingoftheirmachinery。Themaninthesternstillcroucheduponthedeck，andhisarmsweremovingasthoughhewerebusy，whileeverynowandthenhewouldlookupandmeasurewithaglancethedistancewhichstillseparatedus。Nearerwecameandnearer。
　　Jonesyelledtothemtostop。Wewerenotmorethanfourboats-lengthsbehindthem，bothboatsflyingatatremendouspace。Itwasaclearreachoftheriver，withBarkingLevelupononesideandthemelancholyPlumsteadMarshesupontheother。Atourhailthemaninthesternsprangupfromthedeckandshookhistwoclenchedfistsatus，cursingthewhileinahigh，crackedvoice。Hewasagood-sized，powerfulman，andashestoodpoisinghimselfwithlegsastrideIcouldseethatfromthethighdownwardtherewasbutawoodenstumpupontherightside。Atthesoundofhisstrident，angrycries，therewasmovementinthehuddledbundleuponthedeck。
　　Itstraighteneditselfintoalittleblackman-thesmallestIhaveeverseen-withagreat，misshapenheadandashockoftangled，dishevelledhair。Holmeshadalreadydrawnhisrevolver，andIwhippedoutmineatthesightofthissavage，distortedcreature。Hewaswrappedinsomesortofdarkulsterorblanket，whichleftonlyhisfaceexposed，butthatfacewasenoughtogiveamanasleeplessnight。NeverhaveIseenfeaturessodeeplymarkedwithallbestialityandcruelty。Hissmalleyesglowedandburnedwithasombrelight，andhisthicklipswerewrithedbackfromhisteeth，whichgrinnedandchatteredatuswithhalfanimalfury。
　　"Fireifheraiseshishand，"saidHolmesquietly。
　　Wewerewithinaboat’sstrengthbythistime，andalmostwithintouchofourquarry。Icanseethetwoofthemnowastheystood，thewhitemanwithhislegsfarapart，shriekingoutcurses，andtheunhalloweddwarfwithhishideousface，andhisstrongyellowteethgnashingatusinthelightofourlantern。
　　Itwaswellthatwehadsoclearaviewofhim。Evenaswelookedhepluckedoutfromunderhiscoveringashort，roundpieceofwood，likeaschool-ruler，andclappedittohislips。Ourpistolsrangouttogether。Hewhirledround，threwuphisarms，and，withakindofchokingcough，fellsidewaysintothestream。Icaughtoneglimpseofhisvenomous，menacingeyesamidthewhiteswirlofthewaters。
　　Atthesamemomentthewooden-leggedmanthrewhimselfupontherudderandputitharddown，sothathisboatmadestraightinforthesouthernbank，whileweshotpastherstern，onlyclearingherbyafewfeet。Wewereroundafterherinaninstant，butshewasalreadynearlyatthebank。Itwasawildanddesolateplace，wherethemoonglimmereduponawideexpanseofmarsh-land，withpoolsofstagnantwaterandbedsofdecayingvegetation。Thelaunch，withadullthud，ranupuponthemud-bank，withherbowintheairandhersternflushwiththewater。Thefugitivesprangout，buthisstumpinstantlysankitswholelengthintothesoddensoil。Invainhestruggledandwrithed。Notonestepcouldhepossiblytakeeitherforwardorbackward。Heyelledinimpotentrageandkickedfranticallyintothemudwithhisotherfoot，buthisstrugglesonlyboredhiswoodenpinthedeeperintothestickybank。Whenwebroughtourlaunchalongsidehewassofirmlyanchoredthatitwasonlybythrowingtheendofaropeoverhisshouldersthatwewereabletohaulhimoutandtodraghim，likesomeevilfish，overourside。ThetwoSmiths，fatherandson，satsullenlyintheirlaunchbutcameaboardmeeklyenoughwhencommanded。TheAuroraherselfwehauledoffandmadefasttoourstem。AsolidironchestofIndianworkmanshipstooduponthedeck。This，therecouldbenoquestion，wasthesamethathadcontainedtheill-omenedtreasureoftheSholtos。Therewasnokey，butitwasofconsiderableweight，sowetransferreditcarefullytoourownlittlecabin。Aswesteamedslowlyupstreamagain，weflashedoursearchlightineverydirection，buttherewasnosignoftheIslander。SomewhereinthedarkoozeatthebottomoftheThamesliethebonesofthatstrangevisitortoourshores。
　　"Seehere，"saidHolmes，pointingtothewoodenhatchway。"Wewerehardlyquickenoughwithourpistols。"There，sureenough，justbehindwherewehadbeenstanding，stuckoneofthosemurderousdartswhichweknewsowell。Itmusthavewhizzedbetweenusattheinstantwefired。Holmessmiledatitandshruggedhisshouldersinhiseasyfashion，butIconfessthatitturnedmesicktothinkofthehorribledeathwhichhadpassedsoclosetousthatnight。
　　Chapter11
　　THEGREATAGRATREASURE
　　Ourcaptivesatinthecabinoppositetotheironboxwhichhehaddonesomuchandwaitedsolongtogain。Hewasasunburnedreckless-eyedfellow，withanetworkoflinesandwrinklesalloverhismahoganyfeatures，whichtoldofahard，open-airlife。Therewasasingularprominenceabouthisbeardedchinwhichmarkedamanwhowasnottobeeasilyturnedfromhispurpose。Hisagemayhavebeenfiftyorthereabouts，forhisblack，curlyhairwasthicklyshotwithgray。Hisfaceinreposewasnotanunpleasingone，thoughhisheavybrowsandaggressivechingavehim，asIhadlatelyseen，aterribleexpressionwhenmovedtoanger。Hesatnowwithhishandcuffedhandsuponhislap，andhisheadsunkuponhisbreast，whilehelookedwithhiskeen，twinklingeyesattheboxwhichhadbeenthecauseofhisill-doings。Itseemedtomethattherewasmoresorrowthanangerinhisrigidandcontainedcountenance。Oncehelookedupatmewithagleamofsomethinglikehumourinhiseyes。
　　"Well，JonathanSmall，"saidHolmes，lightingacigar，"Iamsorrythatithascometothis。"
　　"AndsoamI，sir，"heansweredfrankly。"Idon’tbelievethatIcanswingoverthejob。IgiveyoumywordonthebookthatIneverraisedhandagainstMr。Sholto。Itwasthatlittlehell-hound，Tonga，whoshotoneofhiscurseddartsintohim。Ihadnopartinit，sir。Iwasasgrievedasifithadbeenmyblood-relation。Iweltedthelittledevilwiththeslackendoftheropeforit，butitwasdone，andI
　　couldnotundoitagain。"
　　"Haveacigar，"saidHolmes;"andyouhadbesttakeapulloutofmyflask，foryouareverywet。HowcouldyouexpectsosmallandweakamanasthisblackfellowtooverpowerMr。Sholtoandholdhimwhileyouwereclimbingtherope？"
　　"Youseemtoknowasmuchaboutitasifyouwerethere，sir。ThetruthisthatIhopedtofindtheroomclear。Iknewthehabitsofthehouseprettywell，anditwasthetimewhenMr。Sholtousuallywentdowntohissupper。Ishallmakenosecretofthebusiness。ThebestdefencethatIcanmakeisjustthesimpletruth。Now，ifithadbeentheoldmajorIwouldhaveswungforhimwithalightheart。I
　　wouldhavethoughtnomoreofknifinghimthanofsmokingthiscigar。Butit’scursedhardthatIshouldbelaggedoverthisyoungSholto，withwhomIhadnoquarrelwhatever。"
　　"YouareunderthechargeofMr。AthelneyJones，ofScotlandYard。
　　Heisgoingtobringyouuptomyrooms，andIshallaskyouforatrueaccountofthematter。Youmustmakeacleanbreastofit，forifyoudoIhopethatImaybeofusetoyou。IthinkIcanprovethatthepoisonactssoquicklythatthemanwasdeadbeforeeveryoureachedtheroom。"
　　"Thathewas，sir。InevergotsuchaturninmylifeaswhenI
　　sawhimgrinningatmewithhisheadonhisshoulderasIclimbedthroughthewindow。Itfairlyshookme，sir。I’dhavehalfkilledTongaforitifhehadnotscrambledoff。Thatwashowhecametoleavehisclub，andsomeofhisdartstoo，ashetellsme，whichI
　　daresayhelpedtoputyouonourtrack;thoughhowyoukeptonitismorethanIcantell。Idon’tfeelnomaliceagainstyouforit。
　　Butitdoesseemaqueerthing，"headdedwithabittersmile，"thatI，whohaveafairclaimtohalfamillionofmoney，shouldspendthefirsthalfofmylifebuildingabreakwaterintheAndamans，andamliketospendtheotherhalfdiggingdrainsatDartmoor。ItwasanevildayformewhenfirstIclappedeyesuponthemerchantAchmetandhadtodowiththeAgratreasure，whichneverbroughtanythingbutacurseyetuponthemanwhoownedit。Tohimitbroughtmurder，toMajorSholtoitbroughtfearandguilt，tomeithasmeantslaveryforlife。"
　　AtthismomentAthelneyJonesthrusthisbroadfaceandheavyshouldersintothetinycabin。
　　"Quiteafamilyparty，"heremarked。"IthinkIshallhaveapullatthatflask，Holmes。Well，Ithinkwemayallcongratulateeachother。Pitywedidn’ttaketheotheralive，buttherewasnochoice。I
　　say，Holmes，youmustconfessthatyoucutitratherfine。Itwasallwecoulddotooverhaulher。"
　　"Alliswellthatendswell，"saidHolmes。"ButIcertainlydidnotknowthattheAurorawassuchaclipper。"
　　"Smithsayssheisoneofthefastestlaunchesontheriver，andthatifhehadhadanothermantohelphimwiththeenginesweshouldneverhavecaughther。HeswearsheknewnothingofthisNorwoodbusiness。"
　　"Neitherhedid，"criedourprisoner-"notaword。IchosehislaunchbecauseIheardthatshewasaflier。Wetoldhimnothing;
　　butwepaidhimwell，andhewastogetsomethinghandsomeifwereachedourvessel，theEsmeraldaatGravesend，outwardboundfortheBrazils。"
　　"Well，ifhehasdonenowrongweshallseethatnowrongcomestohim。Ifweareprettyquickincatchingourmen，wearenotsoquickincondemningthem。"ItwasamusingtonoticehowtheconsequentialJoneswasalreadybeginningtogivehimselfairsonthestrengthofthecapture。FromtheslightsmilewhichplayedoverSherlockHolmes’sface，Icouldseethatthespeechhadnotbeenlostuponhim。
　　"WewillbeatVauxhallBridgepresently，"saidJones，"andshalllandyou，Dr。Watson，withthetreasure-box。IneedhardlytellyouthatIamtakingaverygraveresponsibilityuponmyselfindoingthis。Itismostirregular，butofcourseanagreementisanagreement。Imust，however，asamatterofduty，sendaninspectorwithyou，sinceyouhavesovaluableacharge。Youwilldrive，nodoubt？"
　　"Yes，Ishalldrive。"
　　"Itisapitythereisnokey，thatwemaymakeaninventoryfirst。Youwillhavetobreakitopen。Whereisthekey，myman？"
　　"Atthebottomoftheriver，"saidSmallshortly。
　　"Hum！Therewasnouseyourgivingthisunnecessarytrouble。Wehavehadworkenoughalreadythroughyou。However，Doctor，Ineednotwarnyoutobecareful。BringtheboxbackwithyoutotheBakerStreetrooms。Youwillfindusthere，onourwaytothestation。"
　　TheylandedmeatVauxhall，withmyheavyironbox，andwithabluff，genialinspectorasmycompanion。Aquarterofanhour’sdrivebroughtustoMrs。CecilForresters。Theservantseemedsurprisedatsolateavisitor。Mrs。CecilForresterwasoutfortheevening，sheexplained，andlikelytobeverylate。MissMorstan，however，wasinthedrawing-room;sotothedrawing-roomIwent，boxinhand，leavingtheobliginginspectorinthecab。
　　Shewasseatedbytheopenwindow，dressedinsomesortofwhitediaphanousmaterial，withalittletouchofscarletattheneckandwaist。Thesoftlightofashadedlampfelluponherassheleanedbackinthebasketchair，playingoverhersweetgraveface，andtintingwithadull，metallicsparkletherichcoilsofherluxurianthair。Onewhitearmandhanddroopedoverthesideofthechair，andherwholeposeandfigurespokeofanabsorbingmelancholy。
　　Atthesoundofmyfootfallshesprangtoherfeet，however，andabrightflushofsurpriseandofpleasurecolouredherpalecheeks。
　　"Iheardacabdriveup，"shesaid。"IthoughtthatMrs。Forresterhadcomebackveryearly，butIneverdreamedthatitmightbeyou。
　　Whatnewshaveyoubroughtme？"
　　"Ihavebroughtsomethingbetterthannews，"saidI，puttingdowntheboxuponthetableandspeakingjoviallyandboisterously，thoughmyheartwasheavywithinme。"Ihavebroughtyousomethingwhichisworthallthenewsintheworld。Ihavebroughtyouafortune。"
　　Sheglancedattheironbox。
　　"Isthatthetreasurethen？"sheasked，coollyenough。
　　"Yes，thisisthegreatAgratreasure。HalfofitisyoursandhalfisThaddeusSholto’s。Youwillhaveacoupleofhundredthousandeach。Thinkofthat！Anannuityoftenthousandpounds。TherewillbefewricheryoungladiesinEngland。Isitnotglorious？"
　　IthinkImusthavebeenratherover-actingmydelight，andthatshedetectedahollowringinmycongratulations，forIsawhereyebrowsrisealittle，andsheglancedatmecuriously。
　　"IfIhaveit，"saidshe，"Ioweittoyou。"
　　"No，no，"Ianswered，"nottomebuttomyfriendSherlockHolmes，Withallthewillintheworld，Icouldneverhavefollowedupacluewhichhastaxedevenhisanalyticalgenius。Asitwas，weverynearlylostitatthelastmoment。"
　　"Praysitdownandtellmeallaboutit，Dr。Watson，"saidshe。
　　InarratedbrieflywhathadoccurredsinceIhadseenherlast。
　　Holmes’snewmethodofsearch，thediscoveryoftheAurora，theappearanceofAthelneyJones，ourexpeditionintheevening，andthewildchasedowntheThames。Shelistenedwithpartedlipsandshiningeyestomyrecitalofouradventures。WhenIspokeofthedartwhichhadsonarrowlymissedus，sheturnedsowhitethatIfearedthatshewasabouttofaint。
　　"Itisnothing，"shesaidasIhastenedtopourheroutsomewater。"Iamallrightagain。ItwasashocktometohearthatI
　　hadplacedmyfriendsinsuchhorribleperil。"
　　"Thatisallover，"Ianswered。"Itwasnothing。Iwilltellyounomoregloomydetails。Letusturntosomethingbrighter。Thereisthetreasure。Whatcouldbebrighterthanthat？Igotleavetobringitwithme，thinkingthatitwouldinterestyoutobethefirsttoseeit。"
　　"Itwouldbeofthegreatestinteresttome，"shesaid。Therewasnoeagernessinhervoice，however。Ithadstruckher，doubtless，thatitmightseemungraciousuponherparttobeindifferenttoaprizewhichhadcostsomuchtowin。
　　"Whataprettybox！"shesaid，stoopingoverit。"ThisisIndianwork，Isuppose？"
　　"Yes;itisBenaresmetal-work。"
　　"Andsoheavy！"sheexclaimed，tryingtoraiseit。"Theboxalonemustbeofsomevalue。Whereisthekey？"
　　"SmallthrewitintotheThames，"Ianswered。"ImustborrowMrs。
　　Forrester’spoker。"
　　Therewasinthefrontathickandbroadhasp，wroughtintheimageofasittingBuddha。UnderthisIthrusttheendofthepokerandtwisteditoutwardasalever。Thehaspsprangopenwithaloudsnap。WithtremblingfingersIflungbackthelid。Webothstoodgazinginastonishment。Theboxwasempty！
　　Nowonderthatitwasheavy。Theironworkwastwo-thirdsofaninchthickallround。Itwasmassive，wellmade，andsolid，likeachestconstructedtocarrythingsofgreatprice，butnotoneshredorcrumbofmetalorjewellerylaywithinit。Itwasabsolutelyandcompletelyempty。
　　"Thetreasureislost，"saidMissMorstancalmly。
　　AsIlistenedtothewordsandrealizedwhattheymeant，agreatshadowseemedtopassfrommysoul。IdidnotknowhowthisAgratreasurehadweighedmedownuntilnowthatitwasfinallyremoved。Itwasselfish，nodoubt，disloyal，wrong，butIcouldrealizenothingsavethatthegoldenbarrierwasgonefrombetweenus。
　　"ThankGod！"Iejaculatedfrommyveryheart。
　　Shelookedatmewithaquick，questioningsmile。
　　"Whydoyousaythat？"sheasked。
　　"Becauseyouarewithinmyreachagain，"Isaid，takingherhand。
　　Shedidnotwithdrawit。"BecauseIloveyou，Mary，astrulyaseveramanlovedawoman。Becausethistreasure，theseriches，sealedmylips。NowthattheyaregoneIcantellyouhowIloveyou。ThatiswhyIsaid，`ThankGod。’"
　　"ThenIsay`ThankGod，’tooshewhisperedasIdrewhertomyside。
　　Whoeverhadlostatreasure，IknewthatnightthatIhadgainedone。
　　Chapter12
　　THESTRANGESTORYOFJONATHANSMALL
　　Averypatientmanwasthatinspectorinthecab，foritwasawearytimebeforeIrejoinedhim。HisfacecloudedoverwhenIshowedhimtheemptybox。
　　"Theregoesthereward！"saidhegloomily。"Wherethereisnomoneythereisnopay。Thisnight’sworkwouldhavebeenworthatennereachtoSamBrownandmeifthetreasurehadbeenthere。"
　　"Mr。ThaddeusSholtoisarichman，"Isaid;"hewillseethatyouarerewarded，treasureorno。"
　　Theinspectorshookhisheaddespondently，however。
　　"It’sabadjob，"herepeated;"andsoMr。AthelneyJoneswillthink。"
　　Hisforecastprovedtobecorrect，forthedetectivelookedblankenoughwhenIgottoBakerStreetandshowedhimtheemptybox。Theyhadonlyjustarrived，Holmes，theprisoner，andhe，fortheyhadchangedtheirplanssofarastoreportthemselvesatastationupontheway。Mycompanionloungedinhisarmchairwithhisusuallistlessexpression，whileSmallsatstolidlyoppositetohimwithhiswoodenlegcockedoverhissoundone。AsIexhibitedtheemptyboxheleanedbackinhischairandlaughedaloud。
　　"Thisisyourdoing，Small，"saidAthelneyJonesangrily。
　　"Yes，Ihaveputitawaywhereyoushallneverlayhanduponit，"hecriedexultantly。"Itismytreasure，andifIcan’thavethelootI’lltakedamedgoodcarethatnooneelsedoes。Itellyouthatnolivingmanhasanyrighttoit，unlessitisthreemenwhoareintheAndamanconvict-barracksandmyself。IknownowthatIcannothavetheuseofit，andIknowthattheycannot。Ihaveactedallthroughforthemasmuchasformyself。It’sbeenthesignoffourwithusalways。Well，IknowthattheywouldhavehadmedojustwhatIhavedone，andthrowthetreasureintotheThamesratherthanletitgotokithorkinofSholtoorMorstan。ItwasnottomakethemrichthatwedidforAchmet。You’llfindthetreasurewherethekeyisandwherelittleTongais。WhenIsawthatyourlaunchmustcatchus，Iputthelootawayinasafeplace。Therearenorupeesforyouthisjourney。"
　　"Youaredeceivingus，Small，"saidAthelneyJonessternly;"ifyouhadwishedtothrowthetreasureintotheThames，itwouldhavebeeneasierforyoutohavethrownboxandall。"
　　"Easierformetothrowandeasierforyoutorecover，"heansweredwithashrewd，side-longlook。"Themanthatwascleverenoughtohuntmedowniscleverenoughtopickanironboxfromthebottomofariver。Nowthattheyarescatteredoverfivemilesorso，itmaybeaharderjob。Itwenttomyhearttodoitthough。Iwashalfmadwhenyoucameupwithus。However，there’snogoodgrievingoverit。I’vehadupsinmylife，andI’vehaddowns，butI’velearnednottocryoverspilledmilk。"
　　"Thisisaveryseriousmatter，Small，"saidthedetective。"Ifyouhadhelpedjustice，insteadofthwartingitinthisway，youwouldhavehadabetterchanceatyourtrial。"
　　"Justice！"snarledtheex-convict。"Aprettyjustice！Whoselootisthis，ifitisnotours？WhereisthejusticethatIshouldgiveituptothosewhohaveneverearnedit？LookhowIhaveearnedit！
　　Twentylongyearsinthatfever-riddenswamp，alldayatworkunderthemangrove-tree，allnightchainedupinthefilthyconvict-huts，bittenbymosquitoes，rackedwithague，bulliedbyeverycursedblack-facedpolicemanwholovedtotakeitoutofawhiteman。ThatwashowIearnedtheAgratreasure，andyoutalktomeofjusticebecauseIcannotbeartofeelthatIhavepaidthispriceonlythatanothermayenjoyit！Iwouldratherswingascoreoftimes，orhaveoneofTonga’sdartsinmyhide，thanliveinaconvict’scellandfeelthatanothermanisathiseaseinapalacewiththemoneythatshouldbemine。"
　　Smallhaddroppedhismaskofstoicism，andallthiscameoutinawildwhirlofwords，whilehiseyesblazed，andthehandcuffsclankedtogetherwiththeimpassionedmovementofhishands。Icouldunderstand，asIsawthefuryandthepassionoftheman，thatitwasnogroundlessorunnaturalterrorwhichhadpossessedMajorSholtowhenhefirstlearnedthattheinjuredconvictwasuponhistrack。
　　"Youforgetthatweknownothingofallthis，"saidHolmesquietly。"Wehavenotheardyourstory，andwecannottellhowfarjusticemayoriginallyhavebeenonyourside。"
　　"Well，sir，youhavebeenveryfair-spokentome，thoughIcanseethatIhaveyoutothankthatIhavethesebraceletsuponmywrists。
　　Still，Ibearnogrudgeforthat。Itisallfairandabove-board。Ifyouwanttohearmystory，Ihavenowishtoholditback。WhatI
　　saytoyouisGod’struth，everywordofit。Thankyou，youcanputtheglassbesidemehere，andI’llputmylipstoitifIamdry。
　　"IamaWorcestershiremanmyself，bornnearPershore。IdaresayyouwouldfindaheapofSmallslivingtherenowifyouweretolook。Ihaveoftenthoughtoftakingalookroundthere，butthetruthisthatIwasnevermuchofacredittothefamily，andIdoubtiftheywouldbesoverygladtoseeme。Theywereallsteady，chapel-goingfolk，smallfarmers，wellknownandrespectedoverthecountryside，whileIwasalwaysabitofarover。Atlast，however，whenIwasabouteighteen，Igavethemnomoretrouble，forIgotintoamessoveragirlandcouldonlygetoutofitagainbytakingtheQueen’sshillingandjoiningtheThirdBuffs，whichwasjuststartingforIndia。
　　"Iwasn’tdestinedtodomuchsoldiering，however。Ihadjustgotpastthegoose-stepandlearnedtohandlemymusket，whenIwasfoolenoughtogoswimmingintheGanges。Luckilyforme，mycompanysergeant，JohnHolder，wasinthewateratthesametime，andhewasoneofthefinestswimmersintheservice。AcrocodiletookmejustasIwashalfwayacrossandnippedoffmyrightlegascleanasasurgeoncouldhavedoneit，justabovetheknee。Whatwiththeshockandthelossofblood，Ifainted，andshouldhavebeendrownedifHolderhadnotcaughtholdofmeandpaddledforthebank。Iwasfivemonthsinhospitaloverit，andwhenatlastIwasabletolimpoutofitwiththistimbertoestrappedtomystump，IfoundmyselfinvalidedoutoftheArmyandunfittedforanyactiveoccupation。
　　"Iwas，asyoucanimagine，prettydownonmyluckatthistime，forIwasauselesscripple，thoughnotyetinmytwentiethyear。However，mymisfortune，soonprovedtobeablessingindisguise。AmannamedAbelWhite，whohadcomeoutthereasanindigo-planter，wantedanoverseertolookafterhiscooliesandkeepthemuptotheirwork。
　　Hehappenedtobeafriendofourcolonel’s，whohadtakenaninterestinmesincetheaccident。Tomakealongstoryshort，thecolonelrecommendedmestronglyforthepost，and，astheworkwasmostlytobedoneonhorseback，mylegwasnogreatobstacle，forIhadenoughthighlefttokeepagoodgriponthesaddle。WhatIhadtodowastorideovertheplantation，tokeepaneyeonthemenastheyworked，andtoreporttheidlers。Thepaywasfair，Ihadcomfortablequarters，andaltogetherIwascontenttospendtheremainderofmylifeinindigo-planting。Mr。AbelWhitewasakindman，andhewouldoftendropintomylittleshantyandsmokeapipewithme，forwhitefolkouttherefeeltheirheartswarmtoeachotherastheyneverdohereathome。
　　"Well，Iwasneverinluck’swaylong。Suddenly，withoutanoteofwarning，thegreatmutinybrokeuponus。OnemonthIndialayasstillandpeaceful，toallappearance，asSurreyorKent;thenextthereweretwohundredthousandblackdevilsletloose，andthecountrywasaperfecthell。Ofcourseyouknowallaboutit，gentlemen-adealmorethanIdo，verylike，sincereadingisnotinmyline。IonlyknowwhatIsawwithmyowneyes。OurplantationwasataplacecalledMuttra，neartheborderoftheNorthwestProvinces。Nightafternightthewholeskywasalightwiththeburningbungalows，anddayafterdaywehadsmallcompaniesofEuropeanspassingthroughourestatewiththeirwivesandchildren，ontheirwaytoAgra，wherewerethenearesttroops。Mr。AbelWhitewasanobstinateman。Hehaditinhisheadthattheaffairhadbeenexaggerated，andthatitwouldblowoverassuddenlyasithadsprungup。Therehesatonhisveranda，drinkingwhisky-pegsandsmokingcheroots，whilethecountrywasinablazeabouthim。Ofcoursewestuckbyhim，IandDawson，who，withhiswife，usedtodothebook-workandthemanaging。Well，onefinedaythecrashcame。I
　　hadbeenawayonadistantplantationandwasridingslowlyhomeintheevening，whenmyeyefelluponsomethingallhuddledtogetheratthebottomofasteepnullah。Irodedowntoseewhatitwas，andthecoldstruckthroughmyheartwhenIfounditwasDawson’swife，allcutintoribbons，andhalfeatenbyjackalsandnativedogs。A
　　littlefurtheruptheroadDawsonhimselfwaslyingonhisface，quitedead，withanemptyrevolverinhishand，andfoursepoyslyingacrosseachotherinfrontofhim。Ireinedupmyhorse，wonderingwhichwayIshouldturn;butatthatmomentIsawthicksmokecurlingupfromAbelWhite’sbungalowandtheflamesbeginningtoburstthroughtheroof。IknewthenthatIcoulddomyemployernogood，butwouldonlythrowmyownlifeawayifImeddledinthematter。FromwhereI
　　stoodIcouldseehundredsoftheblackfiends，withtheirredcoatsstillontheirbacks，dancingandhowlingroundtheburninghouse。
　　Someofthempointedatme，andacoupleofbulletssangpastmyhead：
　　soIbrokeawayacrossthepaddy-fields，andfoundmyselflateatnightsafewithinthewallsatAgra。
　　"Asitproved，however，therewasnogreatsafetythere，either。Thewholecountrywasuplikeaswarmofbees。WherevertheEnglishcouldcollectinlittlebandstheyheldjustthegroundthattheirgunscommanded。Everywhereelsetheywerehelplessfugitives。Itwasafightofthemillionsagainstthehundreds;andthecruellestpartofitwasthatthesementhatwefoughtagainst，foot，horse，andgunners，wereourownpickedtroops，whomwehadtaughtandtrained，handlingourownweaponsandblowingourownbugle-calls。AtAgrathereweretheThirdBengalFusiliers，someSikhs，twotroopsofhorse，andabatteryofartillery。Avolunteercorpsofclerksandmerchantshadbeenformed，andthisIjoined，woodenlegandall。WewentouttomeettherebelsatShahgungeearlyinJuly，andwebeatthembackforatime，butourpowdergaveout，andwehadtofallbackuponthecity。
　　Nothingbuttheworstnewscametousfromeveryside-whichisnottobewonderedat，forifyoulookatthemapyouwillseethatwewererightintheheartofit。Lucknowisratherbetterthanahundredmilestotheeast，andCawnporeaboutasfartothesouth。Fromeverypointonthecompasstherewasnothingbuttortureandmurderandoutrage。
　　"ThecityofAgraisagreatplace，swarmingwithfanaticsandfiercedevilworshippersofallsorts。Ourhandfulofmenwerelostamongthenarrow，windingstreets。Ourleadermovedacrosstheriver，therefore，andtookuphispositionintheoldfortofAgra。
　　Idon’tknowifanyofyougentlemenhaveeverreadorheardanythingofthatoldfort。Itisaveryqueerplace-thequeerestthateverIwasin，andIhavebeeninsomerumcorners，too。Firstofallitisenormousinsize。Ishouldthinkthattheenclosuremustbeacresandacres。Thereisamodernpart，whichtookallourgarrison，women，children，stores，andeverythingelse，withplentyofroomover。Butthemodernpartisnothinglikethesizeoftheoldquarter，wherenobodygoes，andwhichisgivenovertothescorpionsandthecentipedes。Itisallfullofgreatdesertedhalls，andwindingpassages，andlongcorridorstwistinginandout，sothatitiseasyenoughforfolktogetlostinit。Forthisreasonitwasseldomthatanyonewentintoit，thoughnowandagainapartywithtorchesmightgoexploring。
　　"Theriverwashesalongthefrontoftheoldfort，andsoprotectsit，butonthesidesandbehindtherearemanydoors，andthesehadtobeguarded，ofcourse，intheoldquarteraswellasinthatwhichwasactuallyheldbyourtroops。Wewereshort-handed，withhardlymenenoughtomantheanglesofthebuildingandtoservetheguns。Itwasimpossibleforus，therefore，tostationastrongguardateveryoneoftheinnumerablegates。Whatwedidwastoorganizeacentralguardhouseinthemiddleofthefort，andtoleaveeachgateunderthechargeofonewhitemanandtwoorthreenatives。Iwasselectedtotakechargeduringcertainhoursofthenightofasmallisolateddooruponthesouth-westsideofthebuilding。TwoSikhtrooperswereplacedundermycommand，andIwasinstructedifanythingwentwrongtofiremymusket，whenImightrelyuponhelpcomingatoncefromthecentralguard。Astheguardwasagoodtwohundredpacesaway，however，andasthespacebetweenwascutupintoalabyrinthofpassagesandcorridors，Ihadgreatdoubtsastowhethertheycouldarriveintimetobeofanyuseincaseofanactualattack。
　　"Well，Iwasprettyproudathavingthissmallcommandgivenme，sinceIwasarawrecruit，andagame-leggedoneatthat。FortwonightsIkeptthewatchwithmyPunjabees。Theyweretall，fierce-lookingchaps，MahometSinghandAbdullahKhanbyname，botholdfightingmen，whohadbornearmsagainstusatChilianWallah。
　　TheycouldtalkEnglishprettywell，butIcouldgetlittleoutofthem。Theypreferredtostandtogether，andjabberallnightintheirqueerSikhlingo。Formyself，Iusedtostandoutsidethegateway，lookingdownonthebroad，windingriverandonthetwinklinglightsofthegreatcity。Thebeatingofdrums，therattleoftomtoms，andtheyellsandhowlsoftherebels，drunkwithopiumandwithbang，wereenoughtoremindusallnightofourdangerousneighboursacrossthestream。Everytwohourstheofficerofthenightusedtocomeroundtoallthepoststomakesurethatallwaswell。
　　"Thethirdnightofmywatchwasdarkanddirty，withasmalldrivingrain。Itwasdrearyworkstandinginthegatewayhourafterhourinsuchweather。ItriedagainandagaintomakemySikhstalk，butwithoutmuchsuccess。Attwointhemorningtheroundspassedandbrokeforamomentthewearinessofthenight。Findingthatmycompanionswouldnotbeledintoconversation，Itookoutmypipeandlaiddownmymuskettostrikethematch。InaninstantthetwoSikhswereuponme。Oneofthemsnatchedmyfirelockupandlevelleditatmyhead，whiletheotherheldagreatknifetomythroatandsworebetweenhisteeththathewouldplungeitintomeifImovedastep。
　　"Myfirstthoughtwasthatthesefellowswereinleaguewiththerebels，andthatthiswasthebeginningofanassault。Ifourdoorwereinthehandsofthesepoystheplacemustfall，andthewomenandchildrenbetreatedastheywereinCawnpore。MaybeyougentlementhinkthatIamjustmakingoutacaseformyself，butIgiveyoumywordthatwhenIthoughtofthat，thoughIfeltthepointoftheknifeatmythroat，Iopenedmymouthwiththeintentionofgivingascream，ifitwasmylastone，whichmightalarmthemainguard。Themanwhoheldmeseemedtoknowmythoughts;for，evenasIbracedmyselftoit，hewhispered：`Don’tmakeanoise。Thefortissafeenough。
　　Therearenorebeldogsonthissideoftheriver。’Therewastheringoftruthinwhathesaid，andIknewthatifIraisedmyvoiceIwasadeadman。Icouldreaditinthefellow’sbrowneyes。Iwaited，therefore，insilence，toseewhatitwasthattheywantedfromme。
　　"`Listentome，sahib，’saidthetallerandfiercerofthepair，theonewhomtheycalledAbdullahKhan。`Youmusteitherbewithusnow，oryoumustbesilencedforever。Thethingistoogreataoneforustohesitate。EitheryouareheartandsoulwithusonyouroathonthecrossoftheChristians，oryourbodythisnightshallbethrownintotheditch，andweshallpassovertoourbrothersintherebelarmy。Thereisnomiddleway。Whichisittobe-deathorlife？Wecanonlygiveyouthreeminutestodecide，forthetimeispassing，andallmustbedonebeforetheroundscomeagain。’
　　"`HowcanIdecide？’saidI。`Youhavenottoldmewhatyouwantofme。ButItellyounowthatifitisanythingagainstthesafetyofthefortIwillhavenotruckwithit，soyoucandrivehomeyourknifeandwelcome。’
　　"`Itisnothingagainstthefort，’saidhe。`Weonlyaskyoutodothatwhichyourcountrymencometothislandfor。Weaskyoutoberich。Ifyouwillbeoneofusthisnight，wewillsweartoyouuponthenakedknife，andbythethreefoldoathwhichnoSikhwaseverknowntobreak，thatyoushallhaveyourfairshareoftheloot。A
　　quarterofthetreasureshallbeyours。Wecansaynofairer。’
　　"`Butwhatisthetreasurethen？’Iasked。`Iamasreadytoberichasyoucanbeifyouwillbutshowmehowitcanbedone。’
　　"`Youwillswear，then，’saidhe，`bythebonesofyourfather，bythehonourofyourmother，bythecrossofyourfaith，toraisenohandandspeaknowordagainstus，eithernoworafterwards？’
　　"`Iwillswearit，’Ianswered，`Providedthatthefortisnotendangered。’
　　"`ThenmycomradeandIwillswearthatyoushallhaveaquarterofthetreasurewhichshallbeequallydividedamongthefourofus。’
　　"`Therearebutthree，’saidI。
　　"`No;DostAkbarmusthavehisshare。Wecantellthetaletoyouwhilewewaitthem。Doyoustandatthegate，MahometSingh，andgivenoticeoftheircoming。Thethingstandsthus，sahib，andI
　　tellittoyoubecauseIknowthatanoathisbindinguponaFeringhee，andthatwemaytrustyou。HadyoubeenalyingHindoo，thoughyouhadswornbyallthegodsintheirfalsetemples，yourbloodwouldhavebeenupontheknifeandyourbodyinthewater。ButtheSikhknowstheEnglishman，andtheEnglishmanknowstheSikh。
　　Hearken，then，towhatIhavetosay。
　　"`Thereisarajahinthenorthernprovinceswhohasmuchwealth，thoughhislandsaresmall。Muchhascometohimfromhisfather，andmorestillhehassetbyhimself，forheisofalownatureandhoardshisgoldratherthanspendit。Whenthetroublesbrokeouthewouldbefriendsbothwiththelionandthetiger-withthesepoyandwiththeCompany’sraj。Soon，however，itseemedtohimthatthewhitemen’sdaywascome，forthroughallthelandhecouldhearofnothingbutoftheirdeathandtheiroverthrow。Yet，beingacarefulman，hemadesuchplansthat，comewhatmight，halfatleastofhistreasureshouldbelefttohim。Thatwhichwasingoldandsilverhekeptbyhiminthevaultsofhispalace，butthemostpreciousstonesandthechoicestpearlsthathehadheputinanironboxandsentitbyatrustyservant，who，undertheguiseofamerchant，shouldtakeittothefortatAgra，theretolieuntilthelandisatpeace。Thus，iftherebelswonhewouldhavehismoney，butiftheCompanyconquered，hisjewelswouldbesavedtohim。Havingthusdividedhishoard，hethrewhimselfintothecauseofthesepoys，sincetheywerestronguponhisborders。Byhisdoingthis，markyou，sahib，hispropertybecomesthedueofthosewhohavebeentruetotheirsalt。
　　"`Thispretendedmerchant，whotravelsunderthenameofAchmet，isnowinthecityofAgraanddesirestogainhiswayintothefort。Hehaswithhimastravelling-companionmyfoster-brotherDostAkbar，whoknowshissecret。DostAkbarhaspromisedthisnighttoleadhimtoaside-posternofthefort，andhaschosenthisoneforhispurpose。Herehewillcomepresently，andherehewillfindMahometSinghandmyselfawaitinghim。Theplaceislonely，andnoneshallknowofhiscoming。TheworldshallknowthemerchantAchmetnomore，butthegreattreasureoftherajahshallbedividedamongus。Whatsayyoutoit，sahib？’
　　"InWorcestershirethelifeofamanseemsagreatandasacredthing;butitisverydifferentwhenthereisfireandbloodallroundyou，andyouhavebeenusedtomeetingdeathateveryturn。WhetherAchmetthemerchantlivedordiedwasathingaslightasairtome，butatthetalkaboutthetreasuremyheartturnedtoit，andI
　　thoughtofwhatImightdointheoldcountrywithit，andhowmyfolkwouldstarewhentheysawtheirne’er-do-weelcomingbackwithhispocketsfullofgoldmoidores。Ihad，therefore，alreadymadeupmymind。AbdullahKhan，however，thinkingthatIhesitated，pressedthemattermoreclosely。
　　"`Consider，sahib，’saidhe，`thatifthismanistakenbythecommandanthewillbehungorshot，andhisjewelstakenbythegovernment，sothatnomanwillbearupeethebetterforthem。Now，sincewedothetakingofhim，whyshouldwenotdotherestaswell？ThejewelswillbeaswellwithusasintheCompany’scoffers。Therewillbeenoughtomakeeveryoneofusrichmenandgreatchiefs。Noonecanknowaboutthematter，forherewearecutofffromallmen。Whatcouldbebetterforthepurpose？Sayagain，then，sahib，whetheryouarewithus，orifwemustlookuponyouasanenemy。’
　　"`Iamwithyouheartandsoul，’saidI。
　　"`Itiswell，’heanswered，handingmebackmyfirelock。`Youseethatwetrustyou，foryourword，likeours，isnottobebroken。Wehavenowonlytowaitformybrotherandthemerchant。’
　　"`Doesyourbrotherknow，then，ofwhatyouwilldo？’Iasked。
　　"`Theplanishis。Hehasdevisedit。WewillgotothegateandsharethewatchwithMahometSingh。’
　　"Therainwasstillfallingsteadily，foritwasjustthebeginningofthewetseason。Brown，heavycloudsweredriftingacrossthesky，anditwashardtoseemorethanastonecast。Adeepmoatlayinfrontofourdoor，butthewaterwasinplacesnearlydriedup，anditcouldeasilybecrossed。ItwasstrangetometobestandingtherewiththosetwowildPunjabeeswaitingforthemanwhowascomingtohisdeath。
　　"Suddenlymyeyecaughttheglintofashadedlanternattheothersideofthemoat。Itvanishedamongthemound-heaps，andthenappearedagaincomingslowlyinourdirection。
　　"`Heretheyare！’Iexclaimed。
　　"`Youwillchallengehim，sahib，asusual，’whisperedAbdullah。
　　`Givehimnocauseforfear。Sendusinwithhim，andweshalldotherestwhileyoustayhereonguard。Havethelanterreadytouncover，thatwemaybesurethatitisindeedtheman。’
　　"Thelighthadflickeredonward，nowstoppingandnowadvancing，untilIcouldseetwodarkfiguresupontheothersideofthemoat。
　　Iletthemscrambledowntheslopingbank，splashthroughthemire，andclimbhalfwayuptothegatebeforeIchallengedthem。
　　"`Whogoesthere？’saidIinasubduedvoice。
　　"`Friends，’cametheanswer。Iuncoveredmylanterandthrewafloodoflightuponthem。ThefirstwasanenormousSikhwithablackbeardwhichsweptnearlydowntohiscummerband。OutsideofashowI
　　haveneverseensotallaman。Theotherwasalittlefat，roundfellowwithagreatyellowturbanandabundleinhishand，doneupinashawl。Heseemedtobeallinaquiverwithfear，forhishandstwitchedasifhehadtheague，andhisheadkeptturningtoleftandrightwithtwobrightlittletwinklingeyes，likeamousewhenheventuresoutfromhishole。Itgavemethechillstothinkofkillinghim，butIthoughtofthetreasure，andmyheartsetashardasaflintwithinme。Whenhesawmywhitefacehegavealittlechirrupofjoyandcamerunninguptowardsme。
　　"`Yourprotection，sahib，’hepanted，`yourprotectionfortheunhappymerchantAchmet。IhavetravelledacrossRaipootana，thatI
　　mightseektheshelterofthefortatAgra。IhavebeenrobbedandbeatenandabusedbecauseIhavebeenthefriendoftheCompany。ItisablessednightthiswhenIamoncemoreinsafety！andmypoorpossessions。’
　　"`Whathaveyouinthebundle？’Iasked。
　　"`Anironbox，’heanswered，`whichcontainsoneortwolittlefamilymatterswhichareofnovaluetoothersbutwhichIshouldbesorrytolose。YetIamnotabeggar;andIshallrewardyou，youngsahib，andyourgovernoralsoifhewillgivemetheshelterIask。’
　　"Icouldnottrustmyselftospeaklongerwiththeman。ThemoreI
　　lookedathisfat，frightenedface，theharderdiditseemthatweshouldslayhimincoldblood。Itwasbesttogetitover。
　　"`Takehimtothemainguard，’saidI。ThetwoSikhsclosedinuponhimoneachside，andthegiantwalkedbehind，whiletheymarchedinthroughthedarkgateway。Neverwasamansocompassedroundwithdeath。Iremainedatthegatewaywiththelanter。
　　"Icouldhearthemeasuredtrampoftheirfootstepssoundingthroughthelonelycorridors。Suddenlyitceased，andIheardvoicesandascuffle，withthesoundofblows。Amomentlatertherecame，tomyhorror，arushoffootstepscominginmydirection，withaloudbreathingofarunningman。Iturnedmylanterdownthelongstraightpassage，andtherewasthefatman，runninglikethewind，withasmearofbloodacrosshisface，andcloseathisheels，boundinglikeatiger，thegreatblack-beardedSikh，withaknifeflashinginhishand。Ihaveneverseenamanrunsofastasthatlittlemerchant。HewasgainingontheSikh，andIcouldseethatifheoncepassedmeandgottotheopenairhewouldsavehimselfyet。
　　Myheartsoftenedtohim，butagainthethoughtofhistreasureturnedmehardandbitter。Icastmyfirelockbetweenhislegsasheracedpastandherolledtwiceoverlikeashotrabbit。ErehecouldstaggertohisfeettheSikhwasuponhimandburiedhisknifetwiceinhisside。Themanneverutteredmoannormovedmusclebutlaywherehehadfallen。Ithinkmyselfthathemayhavebrokenhisneckwiththefall。
　　Yousee，gentlemen，thatIamkeepingmypromise。Iamtellingyoueverywordofthebusinessjustexactlyasithappened，whetheritisinmyfavourornot。"
　　HestoppedandheldouthismanacledhandsforthewhiskyandwaterwhichHolmeshadbrewedforhim。Formyself，IconfessthatI
　　hadnowconceivedtheutmosthorrorofthemannotonlyforthiscold-bloodedbusinessinwhichhehadbeenconcernedbutevenmoreforthesomewhatflippantandcarelesswayinwhichhenarratedit。
　　Whateverpunishmentwasinstoreforhim，Ifeltthathemightexpectnosympathyfromme。SherlockHolmesandJonessatwiththeirhandsupontheirknees，deeplyinterestedinthestorybutwiththesamedisgustwrittenupontheirfaces。Hemayhaveobservedit，fortherewasatouchofdefianceinhisvoiceandmannerasheproceeded。
　　"Itwasallverybad，nodoubt，"saidhe。"Ishouldliketoknowhowmanyfellowsinmyshoeswouldhaverefusedashareofthislootwhentheyknewthattheywouldhavetheirthroatscutfortheirpains。
　　Besides，itwasmylifeorhiswhenoncehewasinthefort。Ifhehadgotout，thewholebusinesswouldcometolight，andIshouldhavebeencourt-martialledandshotaslikelyasnot，forpeoplewerenotverylenientatatimelikethat。"
　　"Goonwithyourstory，"saidHolmesshortly。
　　"Well，wecarriedhimin，Abdullah，Akbar，andI。Afineweighthewas，too，forallthathewassoshort。MahometSinghwaslefttoguardthedoor。WetookhimtoaplacewhichtheSikhshadalreadyprepared。Itwassomedistanceoff，whereawindingpassageleadstoagreatemptyhall，thebrickwallsofwhichwereallcrumblingtopieces。Theearthfloorhadsunkinatoneplace，makinganaturalgrave，soweleftAchmetthemerchantthere，havingfirstcoveredhimoverwithloosebricks。Thisdone，weallwentbacktothetreasure。
　　"Itlaywherehehaddroppeditwhenhewasfirstattacked。Theboxwasthesamewhichnowliesopenuponyourtable。Akeywashungbyasilkencordtothatcarvedhandleuponthetop。Weopenedit，andthelightofthelantergleameduponacollectionofgemssuchasI
　　havereadofandthoughtaboutwhenIwasalittleladatPershore。Itwasblindingtolookuponthem。Whenwehadfeastedoureyeswetookthemalloutandmadealistofthem。Therewereonehundredandforty-threediamondsofthefirstwater，includingonewhichhasbeencalled，Ibelieve，`theGreatMogul，’andissaidtobethesecondlargeststoneinexistence。Thentherewereninety-sevenveryfineemeralds，andonehundredandseventyrubies，someofwhich，however，weresmall。Therewerefortycarbuncles，twohundredandtensapphires，sixty-oneagates，andagreatquantityofberyls，onyxes，cats’-eyes，turquoises，andotherstones，theverynamesofwhichIdidnotknowatthetime，thoughIhavebecomemorefamiliarwiththemsince。Besidesthis，therewerenearlythreehundredveryfinepearls，twelveofwhichweresetinagoldcoronet。Bytheway，theselasthadbeentakenoutofthechest，andwerenottherewhenIrecoveredit。
　　"AfterwehadcountedourtreasuresweputthembackintothechestandcarriedthemtothegatewaytoshowthemtoMahometSingh。
　　Thenwesolemnlyrenewedouroathtostandbyeachotherandbetruetooursecret。Weagreedtoconcealourlootinasafeplaceuntilthecountryshouldbeatpeaceagain，andthentodivideitequallyamongourselves。Therewasnousedividingitatpresent，forifgemsofsuchvaluewerefounduponusitwouldcausesuspicion，andtherewasnoprivacyinthefortnoranyplacewherewecouldkeepthem。Wecarriedthebox，therefore，intothesamehallwherewehadburiedthebody，andthere，undercertainbricksinthebest-preservedwall，wemadeahollowandputourtreasure。Wemadecarefulnoteoftheplace，andnextdayIdrewfourplans，oneforeachofus，andputthesignofthefourofusatthebottom，forwehadswornthatweshouldeachalwaysactforall，sothatnonemighttakeadvantage。
　　ThatisanoaththatIcanputmyhandtomyheartandswearthatI
　　haveneverbroken。
　　"Well，there’snousemytellingyougentlemenwhatcameoftheIndianmutiny。AfterWilsontookDelhiandSirColinrelievedLucknowthebackofthebusinesswasbroken。Freshtroopscamepouringin，andNanaSahibmadehimselfscarceoverthefrontier。AflyingcolumnunderColonelGreathedcameroundtoAgraandclearedthePandiesawayfromit。Peaceseemedtobesettlinguponthecountry，andwefourwerebeginningtohopethatthetimewasathandwhenwemightsafelygooffwithoursharesoftheplunder。Inamoment，however，ourhopeswereshatteredbyourbeingarrestedasthemurderersofAchmet。
　　"Itcameaboutinthisway。WhentherajahputhisjewelsintothehandsofAchmethediditbecauseheknewthathewasatrustyman。
　　TheyaresuspiciousfolkintheEast，however：sowhatdoesthisrajahdobuttakeasecondevenmoretrustyservantandsethimtoplaythespyuponthefirst。ThissecondmanwasorderednevertoletAchmetoutofhissight，andhefollowedhimlikehisshadow。Hewentafterhimthatnightandsawhimpassthroughthedoorway。Ofcoursehethoughthehadtakenrefugeinthefortandappliedforadmissiontherehimselfnextday，butcouldfindnotraceofAchmet。
　　Thisseemedtohimsostrangethathespokeaboutittoasergeantofguides，whobroughtittotheearsofthecommandant。Athoroughsearchwasquicklymade，andthebodywasdiscovered。Thusattheverymomentthatwethoughtthatallwassafewewereallfourseizedandbroughttotrialonachargeofmurder-threeofusbecausewehadheldthegatethatnight，andthefourthbecausehewasknowntohavebeeninthecompanyofthemurderedman。Notawordaboutthejewelscameoutatthetrial，fortherajahhadbeendeposedanddrivenoutofIndia：sonoonehadanyparticularinterestinthem。
　　Themurder，however，wasclearlymadeout，anditwascertainthatwemustallhavebeenconcernedinit。ThethreeSikhsgotpenalservitudeforlife，andIwascondemnedtodeath，thoughmysentencewasafterwardscommutedtothesameastheothers。
　　"Itwasratheraqueerpositionthatwefoundourselvesinthen。
　　Therewewereallfourtiedbythelegandwithpreciouslittlechanceofevergettingoutagain，whileweeachheldasecretwhichmighthaveputeachofusinapalaceifwecouldonlyhavemadeuseofit。Itwasenoughtomakeamaneathisheartouttohavetostandthekickandthecuffofeverypettyjack-in-office，tohavericetoeatandwatertodrink，whenthatgorgeousfortunewasreadyforhimoutside，justwaitingtobepickedup。Itmighthavedrivenmemad;
　　butIwasalwaysaprettystubbornone，soIjustheldonandbidedmytime。
　　"Atlastitseemedtometohavecome。IwaschangedfromAgratoMadras，andfromtheretoBlairIslandintheAndamans。Thereareveryfewwhiteconvictsatthissettlement，and，asIhadbehavedwellfromthefirst，Isoonfoundmyselfasortofprivilegedperson。IwasgivenahutinHopeTown，whichisasmallplaceontheslopesofMountHarriet，andIwasleftprettymuchtomyself。Itisadreary，fever-strickenplace，andallbeyondourlittleclearingswasinfestedwithwildcannibalnatives，whowerereadyenoughtoblowapoisoneddartatusiftheysawachance。Therewasdiggingandditchingandyam-planting，andadozenotherthingstobedone，sowewerebusyenoughallday，thoughintheeveningwehadalittletimetoourselves。Amongotherthings，Ilearnedtodispensedrugsforthesurgeon，andpickedupasmatteringofhisknowledge。AllthetimeI
　　wasonthelookoutforachancetoescape;butitishundredsofmilesfromanyotherland，andthereislittleornowindinthoseseas：
　　soitwasaterriblydifficultjobtogetaway。
　　"Thesurgeon，Dr。Somerton，wasafast，sportingyoungchap，andtheotheryoungofficerswouldmeetinhisroomsofaneveningandplaycards。Thesurgery，whereIusedtomakeupmydrugs，wasnexttohissitting-room，withasmallwindowbetweenus。Often，ifIfeltlonesome，Iusedtoturnoutthelampinthesurgery，andthen，standingthere，Icouldheartheirtalkandwatchtheirplay。Iamfondofahandatcardsmyself，anditwasalmostasgoodashavingonetowatchtheothers。TherewasMajorSholto，CaptainMorstan，andLieutenantBromleyBrown，whowereincommandofthenativetroops，andtherewasthesurgeonhimself，andtwoorthreeprison-officials，craftyoldhandswhoplayedaniceslysafegame。
　　Averysnuglittlepartytheyusedtomake。
　　"Well，therewasonethingwhichverysoonstruckme，andthatwasthatthesoldiersusedalwaystoloseandthecivilianstowin。
　　Mind，Idon’tsaytherewasanythingunfair，butsoitwas。Theseprison-chapshaddonelittleelsethanplaycardseversincetheyhadbeenattheAndamans，andtheykneweachother’sgametoapoint，whiletheothersjustplayedtopassthetimeandthrewtheircardsdownanyhow。Nightafternightthesoldiersgotuppoorermen，andthepoorertheygotthemorekeentheyweretoplay。MajorSholtowasthehardesthit。Heusedtopayinnotesandgoldatfirst，butsoonitcametonotesofhandandforbigsums。Hesometimeswouldwinforafewdealsjusttogivehimheart，andthentheluckwouldsetinagainsthimworsethanever。Alldayhewouldwanderaboutasblackasthunder，andhetooktodrinkingadealmorethanwasgoodforhim。
　　Onenighthelostevenmoreheavilythanusual。IwassittinginmyhutwhenheandCaptainMorstancamestumblingalongonthewaytotheirquarters。Theywerebosomfriends，thosetwo，andneverfarapart。Themajorwasravingabouthislosses。
　　"`It’sallup，Morstan，’hewassayingastheypassedmyhut。`I
　　shallhavetosendinmypapers。Iamaruinedman。’
　　"`Nonsense，oldchap！’saidtheother，slappinghimupontheshoulder。`I’vehadanastyfacermyself，but-’ThatwasallIcouldhear，butitwasenoughtosetmethinking。
　　"AcoupleofdayslaterMajorSholtowasstrollingonthebeach：
　　soItookthechanceofspeakingtohim。
　　"`Iwishtohaveyouradvice，Major，’saidI。
　　"`Well，Small，whatisit？’heasked，takinghischerootfromhislips。
　　"`Iwantedtoaskyou，sir，’saidI，`whoistheproperpersontowhomhiddentreasureshouldbehandedover。Iknowwherehalfamillionworthlies，and，asIcannotuseitmyself，IthoughtperhapsthebestthingthatIcoulddowouldbetohanditovertotheproperauthorities，andthenperhapstheywouldgetmysentenceshortenedforme。’
　　"`Halfamillion，Small？’hegasped，lookinghardatmetoseeifIwasinearnest。
　　"`Quitethat，sir-injewelsandpearls。Itliestherereadyforanyone。Andthequeerthingaboutitisthattherealownerisoutlawedandcannotholdproperty，sothatitbelongstothefirstcomer。’
　　"`Togovernment，Small，’hestammered，`togovernment。’Buthesaiditinahaltingfashion，andIknewinmyheartthatIhadgothim。
　　"`Youthink，then，sir，thatIshouldgivetheinformationtothegovernorgeneral？’saidIquietly。
　　"`Well，well，youmustnotdoanythingrash，orthatyoumightrepent。Letmehearallaboutit，Small。Givemethefacts。’
　　"`Itoldhimthewholestory，withsmallchanges，sothathecouldnotidentifytheplaces。WhenIhadfinishedhestoodstockstillandfullofthought。Icouldseebythetwitchofhislipthattherewasastrugglegoingonwithinhim。
　　"`Thisisaveryimportantmatter，Small，’hesaidatlast。`Youmustnotsayawordtoanyoneaboutit，andIshallseeyouagainsoon。’
　　"Twonightslaterheandhisfriend，CaptainMorstan，cametomyhutinthedeadofthenightwithalantern。
　　"`IwantyoujusttoletCaptainMorstanhearthatstoryfromyourownlips，Small，’saidhe。
　　"IrepeateditasIhadtolditbefore。
　　"`Itringstrue，eh？’saidhe。`It’sgoodenoughtoactupon？’
　　"CaptainMorstannodded。
　　"`Lookhere，Small，’saidthemajor。`Wehavebeentalkingitover，myfriendhereandI，andwehavecometotheconclusionthatthissecretofyoursishardlyagovernmentmatter，afterall，butisaprivateconcernofyourown，whichofcourseyouhavethepowerofdisposingofasyouthinkbest。Nowthequestionis，Whatpricewouldyouaskforit？Wemightbeinclinedtotakeitup，andatleastlookintoit，ifwecouldagreeastoterms。’Hetriedtospeakinacool，carelessway，buthiseyeswereshiningwithexcitementandgreed。
　　"`Why，astothat，gentlemen，’Ianswered，tryingalsotobecoolbutfeelingasexcitedashedid，`thereisonlyonebargainwhichamaninmypositioncanmake。Ishallwantyoutohelpmetomyfreedom，andtohelpmythreecompanionstotheirs。Weshallthentakeyouintopartnershipandgiveyouafifthsharetodividebetweenyou。’
　　"`Hum！’saidhe。`Afifthshare！Thatisnotverytempting。’
　　"`Itwouldcometofiftythousandapiece，’saidI。
　　"`Buthowcanwegainyourfreedom？Youknowverywellthatyouaskanimpossibility。’
　　"`Nothingofthesort，’Ianswered。`Ihavethoughtitallouttothelastdetail。Theonlybartoourescapeisthatwecangetnoboatfitforthevoyage，andnoprovisionstolastusforsolongatime。
　　ThereareplentyoflittleyachtsandyawlsatCalcuttaorMadraswhichwouldserveourturnwell。Doyoubringoneover。Weshallengagetogetaboardherbynight，andifyouwilldropusonanypartoftheIndiancoastyouwillhavedoneyourpartofthebargain。’
　　"`Iftherewereonlyone，’hesaid。
　　"`Noneorall，’Ianswered。`Wehaveswornit。Thefourofusmustalwaysacttogether。’
　　"`Yousee，Morstan，’saidhe，`Smallisamanofhisword。Hedoesnotflinchfromhisfriends。Ithinkwemayverywelltrusthim。’
　　"`It’sadirtybusiness，’theotheranswered。`Yet，asyousay，themoneywillsaveourcommissionshandsomely。’
　　"`Well，Small，’saidthemajor，`wemust，Isuppose，tryandmeetyou。Wemustfirst，ofcourse，testthetruthofyourstory。Tellmewheretheboxishid，andIshallgetleaveofabsenceandgobacktoIndiainthemonthlyrelief-boattoinquireintotheaffair。’
　　"`Notsofast，’saidI，growingcolderashegothot。`Imusthavetheconsentofmythreecomrades。Itellyouthatitisfourornonewithus。’
　　"`Nonsense！’hebrokein。`Whathavethreeblackfellowstodowithouragreement？’
　　"`Blackorblue，’saidI，`theyareinwithme，andweallgotogether。’
　　"Well，thematterendedbyasecondmeeting，atwhichMahometSingh，AbdullahKlan，andDostAkbarwereallpresent。Wetalkedthematteroveragain，andatlastwecametoanarrangement。WeweretoprovideboththeofficerswithchartsofthepartoftheAgrafort，andmarktheplaceinthewallwherethetreasurewashid。MajorSholtowastogotoIndiatotestourstory。Ifhefoundtheboxhewastoleaveitthere，tosendoutasmallyachtprovisionedforavoyage，whichwastolieoffRutlandIsland，andtowhichweweretomakeourway，andfinallytoreturntohisduties。CaptainMorstanwasthentoapplyforleaveofabsence，tomeetusatAgra，andthereweweretohaveafinaldivisionofthetreasure，hetakingthemajor’sshareaswellashisown。Allthiswesealedbythemostsolemnoathsthatthemindcouldthinkorthelipsutter。Isatupallnightwithpaperandink，andbythemorningIhadthetwochartsallready，signedwiththesignoffour-thatis，ofAbdullah，Akbar，Mahomet，andmyself。
　　"Well，gentlemen，Iwearyyouwithmylongstory，andIknowthatmyfriendMr。Jonesisimpatienttogetmesafelystowedinchokey。
　　I’llmakeitasshortasIcan。ThevillainSholtowentofftoIndia，buthenevercamebackagain。CaptainMorstanshowedmehisnameamongalistofpassengersinoneofthemail-boatsveryshortlyafterwards。Hisunclehaddied，leavinghimafortune，andhehadlefttheArmy，yethecouldstooptotreatfivemenashehadtreatedus。MorstanwentovertoAgrashortlyafterwardsandfound，asweexpected，thatthetreasurewasindeedgone。Thescoundrelhadstolenitallwithoutcarryingoutoneoftheconditionsonwhichwehadsoldhimthesecret。FromthatIlivedonlyforvengeance。I
　　thoughtofitbydayandInurseditbynight。Itbecameanoverpowering，absorbingpassionwithme。Icarednothingforthelaw-nothingforthegallows。Toescape，totrackdownSholto，tohavemyhanduponhisthroat-thatwasmyonethought。EventheAgratreasurehadcometobeasmallerthinginmymindthantheslayingofSholto。
　　"Well，Ihavesetmymindonmanythingsinthislife，andneveronewhichIdidnotcarryout。Butitwaswearyyearsbeforemytimecame。
　　IhavetoldyouthatIhadpickedupsomethingofmedicine。OnedaywhenDr。SomertonwasdownwithafeveralittleAndamanIslanderwaspickedupbyaconvict-ganginthewoods。Hewassicktodeathandhadgonetoalonelyplacetodie。Itookhiminhand，thoughhewasasvenomousasayoungsnake，andafteracoupleofmonthsIgothimallrightandabletowalk。Hetookakindoffancytomethen，andwouldhardlygobacktohiswoods，butwasalwayshangingaboutmyhut。Ilearnedalittleofhislingofromhim，andthismadehimallthefonderofme。
　　"Tonga-forthatwashisname-wasafineboatmanandownedabig，roomycanoeofhisown。WhenIfoundthathewasdevotedtomeandwoulddoanythingtoserveme，Isawmychanceofescape。Italkeditoverwithhim。Hewastobringhisboatroundonacertainnighttoanoldwharfwhichwasneverguarded，andtherehewastopickmeup。Igavehimdirectionstohaveseveralgourdsofwaterandalotofyams，cocoanuts，andsweetpotatoes。
　　"Hewasstaunchandtrue，waslittleTonga。Nomaneverhadamorefaithfulmate。Atthenightnamedhehadhisboatatthewharf。Asitchanced，howevertherewasoneoftheconvict-guarddownthere-avilePathanwhohadnevermissedachanceofinsultingandinjuringme。Ihadalwaysvowedvengeance，andnowIhadmychance。ItwasasiffatehadplacedhiminmywaythatImightpaymydebtbeforeI
　　lefttheisland。Hestoodonthebankwithhisbacktome，andhiscarbineonhisshoulder。Ilookedaboutforastonetobeatouthisbrainswith，butnonecouldIsee。
　　"ThenaqueerthoughtcameintomyheadandshowedmewhereI
　　couldlaymyhandonaweapon。Isatdowninthedarknessandunstrappedmywoodenleg。WiththreelonghopsIwasonhim。Heputhiscarbinetohisshoulder，butIstruckhimfull，andknockedthewholefrontofhisskullin。YoucanseethesplitinthewoodnowwhereIhithim。Webothwentdowntogether，forIcouldnotkeepmybalance;butwhenIgotupIfoundhimstilllyingquietenough。I
　　madefortheboat，andinanhourwewerewelloutatsea。Tongahadbroughtallhisearthlypossessionswithhim，hisarmsandhisgods。
　　Amongotherthings，hehadalongbamboospear，andsomeAndamancocoanutmatting，withwhichImadeasortofasail。Fortendayswewerebeatingabout，trustingtoluck，andontheeleventhwewerepickedupbyatraderwhichwasgoingfromSingaporetoJiddahwithacargoofMalaypilgrims。Theywerearumcrowd，andTongaandIsoonmanagedtosettledownamongthem。Theyhadoneverygoodquality：
　　theyletyoualoneandaskednoquestions。
　　"Well，ifIweretotellyoualltheadventuresthatmylittlechumandIwentthrough，youwouldnotthankme，forIwouldhaveyouhereuntilthesunwasshining。Hereandtherewedriftedabouttheworld，somethingalwaysturninguptokeepusfromLondon。Allthetime，however，Ineverlostsightofmypurpose。IwoulddreamofSholtoatnight。AhundredtimesIhavekilledhiminmysleep。Atlast，however，somethreeorfouryearsago，wefoundourselvesinEngland。IhadnogreatdifficultyinfindingwhereSholtolived，andIsettoworktodiscoverwhetherhehadrealizedonthetreasure，orifhestillhadit。Imadefriendswithsomeonewhocouldhelpme-Inamenonames，forIdon’twanttogetanyoneelseinahole-
　　andIsoonfoundthathestillhadthejewels。ThenItriedtogetathiminmanyways;buthewasprettyslyandhadalwaystwoprize-fighters，besideshissonsandhiskhitmutgar，onguardoverhim。
　　"Oneday，however，Igotwordthathewasdying。Ihurriedatoncetothegarden，madthatheshouldslipoutofmyclutcheslikethat，and，lookingthroughthewindow，Isawhimlyinginhisbed，withhissonsoneachsideofhim。I’dhavecomethroughandtakenmychancewiththethreeofthem，onlyevenasIlookedathimhisjawdropped，andIknewthathewasgone。Igotintohisroomthatsamenight，though，andIsearchedhispaperstoseeiftherewasanyrecordofwherehehadhiddenourjewels。Therewasnotaline，however，soIcameaway，bitterandsavageasamancouldbe。BeforeI
　　leftIbethoughtmethatifIevermetmySikhfriendsagainitwouldbeasatisfactiontoknowthatIhadleftsomemarkofourhatred;soIscrawleddownthesignofthefourofus，asithadbeenonthechart，andIpinneditonhisbosom。Itwastoomuchthatheshouldbetakentothegravewithoutsometokenfromthemenwhomhehadrobbedandbefooled。
　　"WeearnedalivingatthistimebymyexhibitingpoorTongaatfairsandothersuchplacesastheblackcannibal。Hewouldeatrawmeatanddancehiswardance：sowealwayshadahatefulofpenniesafteraday’swork。IstillheardallthenewsfromPondicherryLodge，andforsomeyearstherewasnonewstohear，exceptthattheywerehuntingforthetreasure。Atlast，however，camewhatwehadwaitedforsolong。Thetreasurehadbeenfound。ItwasupatthetopofthehouseinMr。BartholomewSholto’schemicallaboratory。Icameatonceandhadalookattheplace，butIcouldnotseehow，withmywoodenleg，Iwastomakemywayuptoit。Ilearned，however，aboutatrapdoorintheroof，andalsoaboutMr。Sholto’ssupper-hour。ItseemedtomethatIcouldmanagethethingeasilythroughTonga。I
　　broughthimoutwithmewithalongropewoundroundhiswaist。Hecouldclimblikeacat，andhesoonmadehiswaythroughtheroof，butasillluckwouldhaveit，BartholomewSholtowasstillintheroom，tohiscost。Tongathoughthehaddonesomethingverycleverinkillinghim，forwhenIcameupbytheropeIfoundhimstruttingaboutasproudasapeacock。VerymuchsurprisedwashewhenImadeathimwiththerope’sendandcursedhimforalittlebloodthirstyimp。Itookthetreasureboxandletitdown，andthensliddownmyself，havingfirstleftthesignofthefouruponthetabletoshowthatthejewelshadcomebackatlasttothosewhohadmostrighttothem。Tongathenpulleduptherope，closedthewindow，andmadeoffthewaythathehadcome。
　　"Idon’tknowthatIhaveanythingelsetotellyou。IhadheardawatermanspeakofthespeedofSmith’slaunch，theAurora，soI
　　thoughtshewouldbeahandycraftforourescape。IengagedwitholdSmith，andwastogivehimabigsumifhegotussafetoourship。Heknew，nodoubt，thattherewassomescrewloose，buthewasnotinoursecrets。Allthisisthetruth，andifItellittoyou，gentlemen，itisnottoamuseyou-foryouhavenotdonemeaverygoodturn-butitisbecauseIbelievethebestdefenceIcanmakeisjusttoholdbacknothing，butletalltheworldknowhowbadlyI
　　havemyselfbeenservedbyMajorSholto，andhowinnocentIamofthedeathofhisson。"
　　"Averyremarkableaccount，"saidSherlockHolmes。"Afittingwinduptoanextremelyinterestingcase。Thereisnothingatallnewtomeinthelatterpartofyournarrativeexceptthatyoubroughtyourownrope。ThatIdidnotknow。Bytheway，IhadhopedthatTongahadlostallhisdarts;yethemanagedtoshootoneatusintheboat。"
　　"Hehadlostthemall，sir，excepttheonewhichwasinhisblow-pipeatthetime。"
　　"Ah，ofcourse，"saidHolmes。"Ihadnotthoughtofthat。"
　　"Isthereanyotherpointwhichyouwouldliketoaskabout？"
　　askedtheconvictaffably。
　　"Ithinknot，thankyou，"mycompanionanswered。
　　"Well，Holmes，"saidAthelneyJones，"youareamantobehumoured，andweallknowthatyouareaconnoisseurofcrime;butdutyisduty，andIhavegoneratherfarindoingwhatyouandyourfriendaskedme。Ishallfeelmoreateasewhenwehaveourstory-tellerheresafeunderlockandkey。Thecabstillwaits，andtherearetwoinspectorsdownstairs。Iammuchobligedtoyoubothforyourassistance。Ofcourseyouwillbewantedatthetrial。Good-nighttoyou。"
　　"Good-night，gentlemenboth，"saidJonathanSmall。
　　"Youfirst，Small，"remarkedthewaryJonesastheylefttheroom。
　　"I’lltakeparticularcarethatyoudon’tclubmewithyourwoodenleg，whateveryoumayhavedonetothegentlemanattheAndamanIsles。"
　　"Well，andthereistheendofourlittledrama，"Iremarked，afterwehadsatsometimesmokinginsilence。"IfearthatitmaybethelastinvestigationinwhichIshallhavethechanceofstudyingyourmethods。MissMorstanhasdonemethehonourtoacceptmeasahusbandinprospective。"
　　Hegaveamostdismalgroan。
　　"Ifearedasmuch，"saidhe。"Ireallycannotcongratulateyou。"
　　Iwasalittlehurt。
　　"Haveyouanyreasontobedissatisfiedwithmychoice？"Iasked。
　　"Notatall。IthinksheisoneofthemostcharmingyoungladiesIevermetandmighthavebeenmostusefulinsuchworkaswehavebeendoing。Shehadadecidedgeniusthatway;witnessthewayinwhichshepreservedthatAgraplanfromalltheotherpapersofherfather。Butloveisanemotionalthing，andwhateverisemotionalisopposedtothattruecoldreasonwhichIplaceaboveallthings。I
　　shouldnevermarrymyself，lestIbiasmyjudgment。"
　　"Itrust，"saidI，laughing，"thatmyjudgmentmaysurvivetheordeal。Butyoulookweary。"
　　"Yes，thereactionisalreadyuponme。Ishallbeaslimpasaragforaweek。"
　　"Strange，"saidI，"howtermsofwhatinanothermanIshouldcalllazinessalternatewithyourfitsofsplendidenergyandvigour。"
　　"Yes，"heanswered，"thereareinmethemakingsofaveryfineloafer，andalsoofaprettysprysortofafellow。IoftenthinkofthoselinesofoldGoethe：
　　"SchadedassdieNaturnureinenMenschausdirschuf，DennzumwurdigenMannwarundzumSchelmenderStoff。
　　Bytheway，aproposofthisNorwoodbusiness，youseethattheyhad，asIsurmised，aconfederateinthehouse，whocouldbenoneotherthanLalRao，thebutler：soJonesactuallyhastheundividedhonourofhavingcaughtonefishinhisgreathaul。"
　　"Thedivisionseemsratherunfair，"Iremarked。"Youhavedonealltheworkinthisbusiness。Igetawifeoutofit，Jonesgetsthecredit，praywhatremainsforyou？"
　　"Forme，"saidSherlockHolmes，"therestillremainsthecocaine-bottle。"Andhestretchedhislongwhitehandupforit。