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。