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。