The Press., 1895-05-30
THE SIGN OF THE FOUR.
Ru A CONAN DOYLE.


 At o'clock ill the afternoon there was a loud peal at tho bell, an authoritative voice in the hail. and, to my surprise, no less a person than MT. Athelney Jones was shown up to me. Very different he was, however from the brusque and mas terful professor of common sense who had taken over tho case so confidently at Up per Norwood. His expression was down. cast and his bearing meek and even apol- ogetic.
 Good day, sir, good day'' said he. ''Mr. Sherlock Holmes is out under. stand.'
 "Yes, and I cannot be sure when he will be back. But perhaps you would caro to wait. Take that chair and try one of these cigars'
 Thank you. don't mind if do," said he, mopping his face with a red ban danna handkerchief.
 And whisky and soda?"
 Well, half glass. It is very hot for the time of year, and I havo had a good deal to worry and try me. You know my theory about this Norwood easel"
 II remember that you expressed one."
 Well, have been obliged to reconsider it. had my net drawn tightly round MT. Sholto, sir, when, pop! he went through a hole in the middle of it. He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken. From the time that he left his brothers s room he was never out of sight of some one or other So it could not Ee he who climbed over roofs and through trapdoors. It is a very dark case, and my professional credit'is at stake. I should be very glad of little assistance.
 We all need help sometimes" said I.
 Your friend, MT. Sherlock Holmes, is a f,,1 ci ho in o hJS and confidential voice. Hos man who is not to be beat. have known that young man go into a good many cases, but never saw the case yet that he could not l throw light upon. He is irregular in | his methods and little quick perhaps in | jumping at theories; but, on the whole, think he would have made most promis- ing officer, and don care who knows it. I have had wire from him this morning, by which I understand that he has got some cleW to this Sholto business. Here is his message"
 He took the telegram out of his pocket and handed it to me. It was dated from Poplar at 12 o'clock. "Go to Baker street at once" " it said. If I have not returned, wait for me. I am close on the track of the Sholto gang. You can come with us tonight if you want to be in at the finish" :"
 
 picked up the scent again" " said l.
 "Ah, then hc has been at fault, too, ' exclaimed Jones, with evident satisfaction. "Eyen the best of us are thrown off some times. Of course this may provo to EO q false alarm, but it is my duty as an officer of the law to allow no chance to slip. But there is some one at the door, Perhaps this is EC.
 A heavy step was heard ascending the stairs, with great whcezing and rattling | as from q man who was sOrCly put to it | for breath. Once or twice he stopped, as though tho climb were too much for him, but at last he made his way to our door and entered. His appearance corresponded | to the sounds which we had heard. He was an aged man, clad in q seafaring garb, I with an old peajacket buttOned up to his | throat. His back was bowed, his knees were shaky, and his breathing was pain | fully asthmatic. As he leaned upon a | thick oaken cudgel his shoulders heaved in | the effort to draw the air into his lungs | He had colored scarf round his chin, and | I could see little of his face save pair of keen dark eyes, overhung by bushy white brows, and his long gray side whiskers | Altogether he gave me the impression of a respectable master mariner who had fallen | into years and poverty.
 "What is it, my man?'' asked. | He looked about him in the slow, method ical fashion of old age.
 ''Is Mir. Sherlock Holmes here?' said he.
 ''No, but am acting for him. You can 1 tell mo any message you have for him.''