the sign of the four(ÄÇËĸöµÄ¼ÇºÅ)-µÚ11ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There£»¡¡now£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Didn't¡¡I¡¡tell¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡the¡¡poor¡¡little¡¡man£»¡¡throwing¡¡
out¡¡his¡¡hands£»¡¡and¡¡looking¡¡from¡¡one¡¡to¡¡the¡¡other¡¡of¡¡us¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡trouble¡¡yourself¡¡about¡¡it£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sholto£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Holmes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡think¡¡
that¡¡I¡¡can¡¡engage¡¡to¡¡clear¡¡you¡¡of¡¡the¡¡charge¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡¡¡¡¡promise¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡¡¡much£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Theorist£»don't¡¡¡¡¡¡promise¡¡¡¡¡¡too¡¡¡¡¡¡much£¡¡¨¡¡
snapped¡¡the¡¡detective¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡may¡¡find¡¡it¡¡a¡¡harder¡¡matter¡¡than¡¡you¡¡think¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡clear¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Jones£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡free¡¡
present¡¡of¡¡the¡¡name¡¡and¡¡description¡¡of¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡two¡¡people¡¡who¡¡were¡¡in¡¡
this¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡night¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡name£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡¡¡reason¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡believe£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡
Jonathan¡¡¡¡¡¡Small¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡poorly¡educated¡¡¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡¡¡¡¡small£»¡¡¡¡¡¡active£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
right¡¡leg¡¡off£»¡¡and¡¡wearing¡¡a¡¡wooden¡¡stump¡¡which¡¡is¡¡worn¡¡away¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡
inner¡¡side¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡left¡¡boot¡¡has¡¡a¡¡coarse£»¡¡square¡toed¡¡sole£»¡¡with¡¡an¡¡iron¡¡band¡¡
round¡¡the¡¡heel¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡is¡¡a¡¡middle¡aged¡¡man£»¡¡much¡¡sunburned£»¡¡and¡¡has¡¡been¡¡
a¡¡¡¡¡¡convict¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡These¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡indications¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡assistance¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡44¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡45¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡
coupled¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡fact¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡there¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡good¡¡deal¡¡of¡¡¡¡skin¡¡¡¡¡¡missing¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡
palm¡¡of¡¡his¡¡hand¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡other¡¡man¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£¡¡¡the¡¡other¡¡man£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Athelney¡¡Jones£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡sneering¡¡voice£»¡¡but¡¡
impressed¡¡¡¡¡¡none¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡less£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡easily¡¡¡¡¡¡see£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡precision¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
other's¡¡manner¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Is¡¡a¡¡rather¡¡curious¡¡person£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Sherlock¡¡Holmes£»¡¡turning¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
heel¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡hope¡¡before¡¡very¡¡long¡¡to¡¡be¡¡able¡¡to¡¡introduce¡¡you¡¡to¡¡the¡¡pair¡¡of¡¡
them¡£A¡¡word¡¡with¡¡you£»¡¡Watson¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡led¡¡me¡¡out¡¡to¡¡the¡¡head¡¡of¡¡the¡¡stair¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡unexpected¡¡occurrence£»¡¨¡¡
he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨has¡¡caused¡¡us¡¡rather¡¡to¡¡lose¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡the¡¡original¡¡purpose¡¡of¡¡our¡¡
journey¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡have¡¡just¡¡been¡¡thinking¡¡so£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡answered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡is¡¡not¡¡right¡¡that¡¡Miss¡¡
Morstan¡¡should¡¡remain¡¡in¡¡this¡¡stricken¡¡house¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡escort¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡home¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lives¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Cecil¡¡
Forrester£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡Lower¡¡¡¡¡¡Camberwell£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡£¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡wait¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡
you¡¡here¡¡if¡¡you¡¡will¡¡drive¡¡out¡¡again¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Or¡¡perhaps¡¡you¡¡are¡¡too¡¡tired£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨By¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡means¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡rest¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡
fantastic¡¡business¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡seen¡¡something¡¡of¡¡the¡¡rough¡¡side¡¡of¡¡life£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡
give¡¡you¡¡my¡¡word¡¡that¡¡this¡¡quick¡¡succession¡¡of¡¡strange¡¡surprises¡¡to¡night¡¡
has¡¡¡¡¡¡shaken¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡nerve¡¡¡¡¡¡completely¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡like£»¡¡¡¡however£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡the¡¡
matter¡¡through¡¡with¡¡you£»¡¡now¡¡that¡¡I¡¡have¡¡got¡¡so¡¡far¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Your¡¡¡¡¡¡presence¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡service¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡answered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡
shall¡¡work¡¡the¡¡case¡¡out¡¡independently£»¡¡and¡¡leave¡¡this¡¡fellow¡¡Jones¡¡to¡¡exult¡¡
over¡¡any¡¡mare's¡nest¡¡which¡¡he¡¡may¡¡choose¡¡to¡¡construct¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡you¡¡have¡¡
dropped¡¡Miss¡¡Morstan¡¡I¡¡wish¡¡you¡¡to¡¡go¡¡on¡¡to¡¡No¡£¡¡3¡¡Pinchin¡¡Lane£»¡¡down¡¡
near¡¡the¡¡water's¡¡edge¡¡at¡¡Lambeth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡third¡¡house¡¡on¡¡the¡¡right¡hand¡¡side¡¡
is¡¡a¡¡bird¡stuffer's£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sherman¡¡is¡¡the¡¡name¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡will¡¡see¡¡a¡¡weasel¡¡holding¡¡
a¡¡young¡¡rabbit¡¡in¡¡the¡¡window¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Knock¡¡old¡¡Sherman¡¡up£»¡¡and¡¡tell¡¡him£»¡¡with¡¡
my¡¡compliments£»¡¡that¡¡I¡¡want¡¡Toby¡¡at¡¡once¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡will¡¡bring¡¡Toby¡¡back¡¡in¡¡
the¡¡cab¡¡with¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡dog£»¡¡I¡¡suppose¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»a¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡queer¡¡¡¡¡¡mongrel£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡amazing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡power¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡scent¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡
would¡¡¡¡¡¡rather¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡Toby's¡¡¡¡¡¡help¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡whole¡¡¡¡¡¡detective¡¡¡¡¡¡force¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
London¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡45¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡46¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡shall¡¡bring¡¡him£»¡¡then£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡I¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡is¡¡one¡¡now¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡ought¡¡to¡¡be¡¡back¡¡
before¡¡three£»¡¡if¡¡I¡¡can¡¡get¡¡a¡¡fresh¡¡horse¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡I£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Holmes£»¡¡¡¨shall¡¡see¡¡what¡¡I¡¡can¡¡learn¡¡from¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Bernstone£»¡¡
and¡¡from¡¡the¡¡Indian¡¡servant£»¡¡who£»¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Thaddeus¡¡tell¡¡me£»¡¡sleeps¡¡in¡¡the¡¡next¡¡
garret¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡study¡¡the¡¡great¡¡Jones's¡¡methods¡¡and¡¡listen¡¡to¡¡his¡¡not¡¡
too¡¡delicate¡¡sarcasms¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡'Wir¡¡sind¡¡gewohnt¡¡das¡¡die¡¡Menschen¡¡verhoehnen¡¡
was¡¡sie¡¡nicht¡¡verstehen¡£'¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Goethe¡¡is¡¡always¡¡pithy¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡46¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡47¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡VII¡¡The¡¡Episode¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Barrel¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡police¡¡had¡¡brought¡¡a¡¡cab¡¡with¡¡them£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡this¡¡I¡¡escorted¡¡Miss¡¡
Morstan¡¡back¡¡to¡¡her¡¡home¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡the¡¡angelic¡¡fashion¡¡of¡¡women£»¡¡she¡¡had¡¡
borne¡¡trouble¡¡with¡¡a¡¡calm¡¡face¡¡as¡¡long¡¡as¡¡there¡¡was¡¡some¡¡one¡¡weaker¡¡than¡¡
herself¡¡to¡¡support£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡had¡¡found¡¡her¡¡bright¡¡and¡¡placid¡¡by¡¡the¡¡side¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
frightened¡¡housekeeper¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡cab£»¡¡however£»¡¡she¡¡first¡¡turned¡¡faint£»¡¡and¡¡
then¡¡burst¡¡into¡¡a¡¡passion¡¡of¡¡weeping£»so¡¡sorely¡¡had¡¡she¡¡been¡¡tried¡¡by¡¡the¡¡
adventures¡¡of¡¡the¡¡night¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡has¡¡told¡¡me¡¡since¡¡that¡¡she¡¡thought¡¡me¡¡cold¡¡
and¡¡distant¡¡upon¡¡that¡¡journey¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡little¡¡guessed¡¡the¡¡struggle¡¡within¡¡my¡¡
breast£»¡¡or¡¡the¡¡effort¡¡of¡¡self¡restraint¡¡which¡¡held¡¡me¡¡back¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡My¡¡sympathies¡¡
and¡¡my¡¡love¡¡went¡¡out¡¡to¡¡her£»¡¡even¡¡as¡¡my¡¡hand¡¡had¡¡in¡¡the¡¡garden¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡felt¡¡
that¡¡years¡¡of¡¡the¡¡conventionalities¡¡of¡¡life¡¡could¡¡not¡¡teach¡¡me¡¡to¡¡know¡¡her¡¡
sweet£»¡¡brave¡¡nature¡¡as¡¡had¡¡this¡¡one¡¡day¡¡of¡¡strange¡¡experiences¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Yet¡¡there¡¡
were¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡thoughts¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡sealed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡words¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡affection¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡lips¡£¡¡
She¡¡was¡¡weak¡¡and¡¡helpless£»¡¡shaken¡¡in¡¡mind¡¡and¡¡nerve¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡to¡¡take¡¡her¡¡
at¡¡a¡¡disadvantage¡¡to¡¡obtrude¡¡love¡¡upon¡¡her¡¡at¡¡such¡¡a¡¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Worse¡¡still£»¡¡
she¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡rich¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡Holmes's¡¡researches¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡successful£»¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡
heiress¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Was¡¡it¡¡fair£»¡¡was¡¡it¡¡honorable£»¡¡that¡¡a¡¡half¡pay¡¡surgeon¡¡should¡¡take¡¡
such¡¡advantage¡¡of¡¡an¡¡intimacy¡¡which¡¡chance¡¡had¡¡brought¡¡about£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Might¡¡
she¡¡not¡¡look¡¡upon¡¡me¡¡as¡¡a¡¡mere¡¡vulgar¡¡fortune¡seeker£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡could¡¡not¡¡bear¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡risk¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡cross¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡£¡¡This¡¡Agra¡¡¡¡¡¡treasure¡¡
intervened¡¡like¡¡an¡¡impassable¡¡barrier¡¡between¡¡us¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡nearly¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡o'clock¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡reached¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Cecil¡¡¡¡¡¡Forrester's¡£¡¡
The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡servants¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡retired¡¡¡¡hours¡¡¡¡¡¡ago£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Forrester¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡
interested¡¡by¡¡the¡¡strange¡¡message¡¡which¡¡Miss¡¡Morstan¡¡had¡¡received¡¡that¡¡
she¡¡had¡¡sat¡¡up¡¡in¡¡the¡¡hope¡¡of¡¡her¡¡return¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡door¡¡herself£»¡¡a¡¡
middle¡aged£»¡¡graceful¡¡woman£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡gave¡¡me¡¡joy¡¡to¡¡see¡¡how¡¡tenderly¡¡her¡¡
arm¡¡stole¡¡round¡¡the¡¡other's¡¡waist¡¡and¡¡how¡¡motherly¡¡was¡¡the¡¡voice¡¡in¡¡which¡¡
she¡¡greeted¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡was¡¡clearly¡¡no¡¡mere¡¡paid¡¡dependant£»¡¡but¡¡an¡¡honored¡¡
friend¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡introduced£»¡¡and¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Forrester¡¡earnestly¡¡begged¡¡me¡¡to¡¡step¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡47¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡48¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡
in¡¡and¡¡tell¡¡her¡¡our¡¡adventures¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡explained£»¡¡however£»¡¡the¡¡importance¡¡of¡¡
my¡¡errand£»¡¡and¡¡promised¡¡faithfully¡¡to¡¡call¡¡and¡¡report¡¡any¡¡progress¡¡which¡¡
we¡¡might¡¡make¡¡with¡¡the¡¡case¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡we¡¡drove¡¡away¡¡I¡¡stole¡¡a¡¡glance¡¡back£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡seem¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡group¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡step£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡graceful£»¡¡
clinging¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡figures£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡opened¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡door£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡hall¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡¡¡¡shining¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡
stained¡¡glass£»¡¡the¡¡barometer£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡bright¡¡stair¡rods¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡soothing¡¡to¡¡
catch¡¡even¡¡that¡¡passing¡¡glimpse¡¡of¡¡a¡¡tranquil¡¡English¡¡home¡¡in¡¡the¡¡midst¡¡of¡¡
the¡¡wild£»¡¡dark¡¡business¡¡which¡¡had¡¡absorbed¡¡us¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡the¡¡more¡¡I¡¡thought¡¡of¡¡what¡¡had¡¡happened£»¡¡the¡¡wilder¡¡and¡¡darker¡¡it¡¡
grew¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡reviewed¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡extraordinary¡¡sequence¡¡of¡¡events¡¡as¡¡I¡¡rattled¡¡
on¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡silent¡¡¡¡¡¡gas¡lit¡¡¡¡¡¡streets¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡original¡¡¡¡¡¡problem£º¡¡
that¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡least¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡pretty¡¡¡¡¡¡clear¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡£¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡death¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Captain¡¡¡¡¡¡Morstan£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
sending¡¡of¡¡the¡¡pearls£»¡¡the¡¡advertisement£»¡¡the¡¡letter£»we¡¡had¡¡had¡¡light¡¡upon¡¡
all¡¡those¡¡events¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡had¡¡only¡¡led¡¡us£»¡¡however£»¡¡to¡¡a¡¡deeper¡¡and¡¡far¡¡more¡¡
tragic¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mystery¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Indian¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡treasure£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡curious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡plan¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡among¡¡
Morstan's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡baggage£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡strange¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡scene¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡Major¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sholto's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡death£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
rediscovery¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡treasure¡¡¡¡¡¡immediately¡¡¡¡¡¡followed¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡murder¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
discoverer£»¡¡the¡¡very¡¡singular¡¡accompaniments¡¡to¡¡the¡¡crime£»¡¡the¡¡footsteps£»¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡remarkable¡¡¡¡¡¡weapons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡words¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡card£»¡¡¡¡¡¡corresponding¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
those¡¡upon¡¡Captain¡¡Morstan's¡¡chart£»here¡¡was¡¡indeed¡¡a¡¡labyrinth¡¡in¡¡which¡¡
a¡¡man¡¡less¡¡singularly¡¡endowed¡¡than¡¡my¡¡fellow¡lodger¡¡might¡¡well¡¡despair¡¡
of¡¡ever¡¡finding¡¡the¡¡clue¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Pinchin¡¡¡¡¡¡Lane¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡row¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡shabby¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡storied¡¡¡¡¡¡brick¡¡¡¡¡¡houses¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
lower¡¡quarter¡¡of¡¡Lambeth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡had¡¡to¡¡knock¡¡for¡¡some¡¡time¡¡at¡¡No¡£¡¡3¡¡before¡¡I¡¡
could¡¡¡¡¡¡make¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡impression¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡last£»¡¡¡¡¡¡however£»¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡glint¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
candle¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡blind£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡face¡¡looked¡¡out¡¡at¡¡the¡¡upper¡¡window¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Go¡¡on£»¡¡you¡¡drunken¡¡vagabone£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡face¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you¡¡kick¡¡up¡¡any¡¡
more¡¡row¡¡I'll¡¡open¡¡the¡¡kennels¡¡and¡¡let¡¡out¡¡forty¡three¡¡dogs¡¡upon¡¡you¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you'll¡¡let¡¡one¡¡out¡¡it's¡¡just¡¡what¡¡I¡¡have¡¡come¡¡for£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡I¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Go¡¡on£¡¡¨¡¡yelled¡¡the¡¡voice¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨So¡¡help¡¡me¡¡gracious£»¡¡I¡¡have¡¡a¡¡wiper¡¡in¡¡
the¡¡bag£»¡¡an'¡¡I'll¡¡drop¡¡it¡¡on¡¡your¡¡'ead¡¡if¡¡you¡¡don't¡¡hook¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡I¡¡want¡¡a¡¡dog£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡cried¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡won't¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡argued¡¡¡¡¡¡with£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡shouted¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Sherman¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now¡¡¡¡stand¡¡¡¡¡¡clear£»¡¡
for¡¡when¡¡I¡¡say¡¡'three£»'¡¡down¡¡goes¡¡the¡¡wiper¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡48¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡49¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mr¡£¡¡Sherlock¡¡Holmes¡¨¡¡I¡¡began£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡words¡¡had¡¡a¡¡most¡¡magical¡¡
effect£»¡¡for¡¡the¡¡window¡¡instantly¡¡slammed¡¡down£»¡¡and¡¡within¡¡a¡¡minute¡¡the¡¡
door¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡unbarred¡¡and¡¡open¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡Sherman¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡lanky£»¡¡lean¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡¡¡man£»¡¡
with¡¡stooping¡¡shoulders£»¡¡a¡¡stringy¡¡neck£»¡¡and¡¡blue¡¡¡tinted¡¡glasses¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨A¡¡friend¡¡of¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Sherlock¡¡is¡¡always¡¡welcome£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡he¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Step¡¡in£»¡¡sir¡£¡¡
Keep¡¡clear¡¡of¡¡the¡¡badger£»¡¡for¡¡he¡¡bites¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ah£»¡¡naughty£»¡¡naughty£»¡¡would¡¡you¡¡
take¡¡a¡¡nip¡¡at¡¡the¡¡gentleman£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡to¡¡a¡¡stoat¡¡which¡¡thrust¡¡its¡¡wicked¡¡head¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡red¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡between¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bars¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡cage¡£¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡¡¡¡¡mind¡¡¡¡¡¡that£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sir£º¡¡¡¡it's¡¡
only¡¡a¡¡slow¡worm¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡hain't¡¡got¡¡no¡¡fangs£»¡¡so¡¡I¡¡gives¡¡it¡¡the¡¡run¡¡o'¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡
for¡¡it¡¡keeps¡¡the¡¡bettles¡¡down¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡must¡¡not¡¡mind¡¡my¡¡bein'¡¡just¡¡a¡¡little¡¡
short¡¡wi'¡¡you¡¡at¡¡first£»¡¡for¡¡I'm¡¡guyed¡¡at¡¡by¡¡the¡¡children£»¡¡and¡¡there's¡¡many¡¡a¡¡
one¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡comes¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡lane¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡knock¡¡¡¡¡¡me¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡
Sherlock¡¡Holmes¡¡wanted£»¡¡sir£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡wanted¡¡a¡¡dog¡¡of¡¡yours¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£¡¡¡that¡¡would¡¡be¡¡Toby¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡Toby¡¡was¡¡the¡¡