Ì«×ÓүС˵Íø > Ó¢Óïµç×ÓÊé > the sign of the four(ÄÇËĸöµÄ¼ÇºÅ) >

µÚ16½Ú

the sign of the four(ÄÇËĸöµÄ¼ÇºÅ)-µÚ16½Ú

С˵£º the sign of the four(ÄÇËĸöµÄ¼ÇºÅ) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ4000×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




Small¡¡learns¡¡that¡¡the¡¡major¡¡is¡¡on¡¡his¡¡death¡­bed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡a¡¡frenzy¡¡lest¡¡the¡¡secret¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡treasure¡¡die¡¡with¡¡him£»¡¡he¡¡runs¡¡the¡¡gauntlet¡¡of¡¡the¡¡guards£»¡¡makes¡¡his¡¡

way¡¡to¡¡the¡¡dying¡¡man's¡¡window£»¡¡and¡¡is¡¡only¡¡deterred¡¡from¡¡entering¡¡by¡¡the¡¡

presence¡¡of¡¡his¡¡two¡¡sons¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mad¡¡with¡¡hate£»¡¡however£»¡¡against¡¡the¡¡dead¡¡man£»¡¡

he¡¡enters¡¡the¡¡room¡¡that¡¡night£»¡¡searches¡¡his¡¡private¡¡papers¡¡in¡¡the¡¡hope¡¡of¡¡

discovering¡¡some¡¡memorandum¡¡relating¡¡to¡¡the¡¡treasure£»¡¡and¡¡finally¡¡leaves¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡momento¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡visit¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡short¡¡¡¡¡¡inscription¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡card¡£¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

doubtless¡¡¡¡¡¡planned¡¡¡¡¡¡beforehand¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡slay¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡major¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡

leave¡¡some¡¡such¡¡record¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡body¡¡as¡¡a¡¡sign¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡not¡¡a¡¡common¡¡

murder£»¡¡but£»¡¡from¡¡the¡¡point¡¡of¡¡view¡¡of¡¡the¡¡four¡¡associates£»¡¡something¡¡in¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡nature¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡act¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡justice¡£¡¡Whimsical¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡bizarre¡¡¡¡¡¡conceits¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡

kind¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡common¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡enough¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡annals¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡crime£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡usually¡¡¡¡¡¡afford¡¡

valuable¡¡indications¡¡as¡¡to¡¡the¡¡criminal¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Do¡¡you¡¡follow¡¡all¡¡this£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Very¡¡clearly¡£¡¨¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡54¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡55¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now£»¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡Jonathan¡¡¡¡¡¡Small¡¡¡¡¡¡do£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡continue¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

keep¡¡a¡¡secret¡¡watch¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡efforts¡¡made¡¡to¡¡find¡¡the¡¡treasure¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Possibly¡¡

he¡¡¡¡¡¡leaves¡¡¡¡¡¡England¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡comes¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡intervals¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡comes¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

discovery¡¡of¡¡the¡¡garret£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡is¡¡instantly¡¡informed¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡again¡¡trace¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡presence¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡confederate¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡household¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Jonathan£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

wooden¡¡¡¡¡¡leg£»¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡utterly¡¡¡¡¡¡unable¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡reach¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lofty¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Bartholomew¡¡

Sholto¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡takes¡¡with¡¡him£»¡¡however£»¡¡a¡¡rather¡¡curious¡¡associate£»¡¡who¡¡gets¡¡

over¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡difficulty£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡dips¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡naked¡¡¡¡¡¡foot¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡creasote£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whence¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡

Toby£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡six¡­mile¡¡¡¡¡¡limp¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡­pay¡¡¡¡¡¡officer¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡damaged¡¡¡¡¡¡tendo¡¡

Achillis¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡it¡¡was¡¡the¡¡associate£»¡¡and¡¡not¡¡Jonathan£»¡¡who¡¡committed¡¡the¡¡crime¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Quite¡¡so¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡rather¡¡to¡¡Jonathan's¡¡disgust£»¡¡to¡¡judge¡¡by¡¡the¡¡way¡¡the¡¡

stamped¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡got¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡bore¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡grudge¡¡¡¡¡¡against¡¡

Bartholomew¡¡¡¡¡¡Sholto£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡preferred¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡

simply¡¡bound¡¡and¡¡gagged¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡did¡¡not¡¡wish¡¡to¡¡put¡¡his¡¡head¡¡in¡¡a¡¡halter¡£¡¡

There¡¡was¡¡no¡¡help¡¡for¡¡it£»¡¡however£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡savage¡¡instincts¡¡of¡¡his¡¡companion¡¡

had¡¡broken¡¡out£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡poison¡¡had¡¡done¡¡its¡¡work£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡Jonathan¡¡Small¡¡left¡¡

his¡¡record£»¡¡lowered¡¡the¡¡treasure¡­box¡¡to¡¡the¡¡ground£»¡¡and¡¡followed¡¡it¡¡himself¡£¡¡

That¡¡was¡¡the¡¡train¡¡of¡¡events¡¡as¡¡far¡¡as¡¡I¡¡can¡¡decipher¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Of¡¡course¡¡as¡¡

to¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡personal¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡appearance¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡middle¡­aged£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡

sunburned¡¡after¡¡serving¡¡his¡¡time¡¡in¡¡such¡¡an¡¡oven¡¡as¡¡the¡¡Andamans¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡

height¡¡is¡¡readily¡¡calculated¡¡from¡¡the¡¡length¡¡of¡¡his¡¡stride£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡know¡¡that¡¡

he¡¡was¡¡bearded¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡hairiness¡¡was¡¡the¡¡one¡¡point¡¡which¡¡impressed¡¡itself¡¡

upon¡¡¡¡¡¡Thaddeus¡¡¡¡¡¡Sholto¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡window¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡

that¡¡there¡¡is¡¡anything¡¡else¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡associate£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£»¡¡well£»¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡mystery¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡know¡¡¡¡all¡¡

about¡¡it¡¡soon¡¡enough¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡How¡¡sweet¡¡the¡¡morning¡¡air¡¡is£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡See¡¡how¡¡that¡¡one¡¡

little¡¡cloud¡¡floats¡¡like¡¡a¡¡pink¡¡feather¡¡from¡¡some¡¡gigantic¡¡flamingo¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡red¡¡¡¡¡¡rim¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sun¡¡¡¡¡¡pushes¡¡¡¡¡¡itself¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡London¡¡¡¡¡¡cloud¡­bank¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡

shines¡¡on¡¡a¡¡good¡¡many¡¡folk£»¡¡but¡¡on¡¡none£»¡¡I¡¡dare¡¡bet£»¡¡who¡¡are¡¡on¡¡a¡¡stranger¡¡

errand¡¡than¡¡you¡¡and¡¡I¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡How¡¡small¡¡we¡¡feel¡¡with¡¡our¡¡petty¡¡ambitions¡¡and¡¡

strivings¡¡in¡¡the¡¡presence¡¡of¡¡the¡¡great¡¡elemental¡¡forces¡¡of¡¡nature£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Are¡¡you¡¡

well¡¡up¡¡in¡¡your¡¡Jean¡¡Paul£¿¡¨¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡55¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡56¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Fairly¡¡so¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡worked¡¡back¡¡to¡¡him¡¡through¡¡Carlyle¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡was¡¡like¡¡following¡¡the¡¡brook¡¡to¡¡the¡¡parent¡¡lake¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡makes¡¡one¡¡

curious¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡profound¡¡¡¡¡¡remark¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡chief¡¡¡¡¡¡proof¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡man's¡¡¡¡¡¡real¡¡

greatness¡¡lies¡¡in¡¡his¡¡perception¡¡of¡¡his¡¡own¡¡smallness¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡argues£»¡¡you¡¡see£»¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡power¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡comparison¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡appreciation¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡itself¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡proof¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

nobility¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡food¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡Richter¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

pistol£»¡¡have¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡have¡¡my¡¡stick¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡is¡¡just¡¡possible¡¡that¡¡we¡¡may¡¡need¡¡something¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sort¡¡if¡¡we¡¡get¡¡to¡¡

their¡¡lair¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Jonathan¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡leave¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡but¡¡if¡¡the¡¡other¡¡turns¡¡nasty¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡

shoot¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡dead¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡took¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡revolver¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡spoke£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡¡

loaded¡¡two¡¡of¡¡the¡¡chambers£»¡¡he¡¡put¡¡it¡¡back¡¡into¡¡the¡¡right¡­hand¡¡pocket¡¡of¡¡

his¡¡jacket¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡during¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡following¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡guidance¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡Toby¡¡¡¡down¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡­rural¡¡¡¡¡¡villa¡­lined¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡roads¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lead¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡metropolis¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now£»¡¡

however£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡beginning¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡among¡¡¡¡¡¡continuous¡¡¡¡¡¡streets£»¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡

laborers¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dockmen¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡already¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡astir£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡slatternly¡¡¡¡¡¡women¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡

taking¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡shutters¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡brushing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡­steps¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡square¡­topped¡¡

corner¡¡public¡¡houses¡¡business¡¡was¡¡just¡¡beginning£»¡¡and¡¡rough¡­looking¡¡men¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡emerging£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡rubbing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡sleeves¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡beards¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡

morning¡¡wet¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Strange¡¡dogs¡¡sauntered¡¡up¡¡and¡¡stared¡¡wonderingly¡¡at¡¡us¡¡as¡¡

we¡¡passed£»¡¡but¡¡our¡¡inimitable¡¡Toby¡¡looked¡¡neither¡¡to¡¡the¡¡right¡¡nor¡¡to¡¡the¡¡

left£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡trotted¡¡¡¡¡¡onwards¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡nose¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ground¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡occasional¡¡

eager¡¡whine¡¡which¡¡spoke¡¡of¡¡a¡¡hot¡¡scent¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡traversed¡¡¡¡¡¡Streatham£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Brixton£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Camberwell£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡

ourselves¡¡in¡¡Kennington¡¡Lane£»¡¡having¡¡borne¡¡away¡¡through¡¡the¡¡side¡­¡¡streets¡¡

to¡¡the¡¡east¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Oval¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡men¡¡whom¡¡we¡¡pursued¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡taken¡¡

a¡¡curiously¡¡zigzag¡¡road£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡the¡¡idea¡¡¡¡¡¡probably¡¡of¡¡escaping¡¡observation¡£¡¡

They¡¡had¡¡never¡¡kept¡¡to¡¡the¡¡main¡¡road¡¡if¡¡a¡¡parallel¡¡side¡­street¡¡would¡¡serve¡¡

their¡¡turn¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡foot¡¡of¡¡Kennington¡¡Lane¡¡they¡¡had¡¡edged¡¡away¡¡to¡¡the¡¡

left¡¡through¡¡Bond¡¡Street¡¡and¡¡Miles¡¡Street¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Where¡¡the¡¡latter¡¡street¡¡turns¡¡

into¡¡Knight's¡¡Place£»¡¡Toby¡¡ceased¡¡to¡¡advance£»¡¡but¡¡began¡¡to¡¡run¡¡backwards¡¡

and¡¡forwards¡¡with¡¡one¡¡ear¡¡cocked¡¡and¡¡the¡¡other¡¡drooping£»¡¡the¡¡very¡¡picture¡¡

of¡¡canine¡¡indecision¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡waddled¡¡round¡¡in¡¡circles£»¡¡looking¡¡up¡¡to¡¡us¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡56¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡57¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡



from¡¡time¡¡to¡¡time£»¡¡as¡¡if¡¡to¡¡ask¡¡for¡¡sympathy¡¡in¡¡his¡¡embarrassment¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡deuce¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡matter¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡dog£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡growled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Holmes¡£¡¡

¡¨They¡¡surely¡¡would¡¡not¡¡take¡¡a¡¡cab£»¡¡or¡¡go¡¡off¡¡in¡¡a¡¡balloon¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Perhaps¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡here¡¡for¡¡some¡¡time£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡suggested¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£¡¡¡it's¡¡all¡¡right¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He's¡¡off¡¡again£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡my¡¡companion£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡tone¡¡of¡¡

relief¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡indeed¡¡off£»¡¡for¡¡after¡¡sniffing¡¡round¡¡again¡¡he¡¡suddenly¡¡made¡¡up¡¡

his¡¡mind£»¡¡and¡¡darted¡¡away¡¡with¡¡an¡¡energy¡¡and¡¡determination¡¡such¡¡as¡¡he¡¡

had¡¡not¡¡yet¡¡shown¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡scent¡¡appeared¡¡to¡¡be¡¡much¡¡hotter¡¡than¡¡before£»¡¡for¡¡

he¡¡had¡¡not¡¡even¡¡to¡¡put¡¡his¡¡nose¡¡on¡¡the¡¡ground£»¡¡but¡¡tugged¡¡at¡¡his¡¡leash¡¡and¡¡

tried¡¡to¡¡break¡¡into¡¡a¡¡run¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡cold¡¡see¡¡by¡¡the¡¡gleam¡¡in¡¡Holmes's¡¡eyes¡¡that¡¡he¡¡

thought¡¡we¡¡were¡¡nearing¡¡the¡¡end¡¡of¡¡our¡¡journey¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Our¡¡course¡¡now¡¡ran¡¡down¡¡Nine¡¡Elms¡¡until¡¡we¡¡came¡¡to¡¡Broderick¡¡and¡¡

Nelson's¡¡¡¡¡¡large¡¡¡¡¡¡timber¡­yard£»¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡past¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡White¡¡¡¡¡¡Eagle¡¡¡¡¡¡tavern¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Here¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

dog£»¡¡frantic¡¡with¡¡excitement£»¡¡turned¡¡down¡¡through¡¡the¡¡side¡­gate¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

enclosure£»¡¡¡¡¡¡where¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sawyers¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡already¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡work¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dog¡¡¡¡¡¡raced¡¡

through¡¡sawdust¡¡and¡¡shavings£»¡¡down¡¡an¡¡alley£»¡¡round¡¡a¡¡passage£»¡¡between¡¡

two¡¡wood¡­piles£»¡¡and¡¡finally£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡triumphant¡¡yelp£»¡¡sprang¡¡upon¡¡a¡¡large¡¡

barrel¡¡which¡¡still¡¡stood¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡hand¡­trolley¡¡on¡¡which¡¡it¡¡had¡¡been¡¡brought¡£¡¡

With¡¡lolling¡¡tongue¡¡and¡¡blinking¡¡eyes£»¡¡Toby¡¡stood¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡cask£»¡¡looking¡¡

from¡¡one¡¡to¡¡the¡¡other¡¡of¡¡us¡¡for¡¡some¡¡sign¡¡of¡¡appreciation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡staves¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡barrel¡¡and¡¡the¡¡wheels¡¡of¡¡the¡¡trolley¡¡were¡¡smeared¡¡with¡¡a¡¡dark¡¡liquid£»¡¡

and¡¡the¡¡whole¡¡air¡¡was¡¡heavy¡¡with¡¡the¡¡smell¡¡of¡¡creasote¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sherlock¡¡¡¡¡¡Holmes¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡blankly¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡¡¡other£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡burst¡¡

simultaneously¡¡into¡¡an¡¡uncontrollable¡¡fit¡¡of¡¡laughter¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡57¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡58¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Sign¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Four¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡VIII¡¡The¡¡Baker¡¡Street¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Irregulars¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡now£¿¡¨¡¡I¡¡asked¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Toby¡¡has¡¡lost¡¡his¡¡characte

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨1£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ