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"No, I could not sleep," he answered "This infernal proble me It is too much to be balked by so petty an obstacle, when all else had been overcoet no news I have set other agencies at work, and used every means at my disposal The whole river has been searched on either side, but there is no news, nor has Mrs Smith heard of her husband I shall come to the conclusion soon that they have scuttled the craft But there are objections to that"

"Or that Mrs S scent"

"No, I think that may be dismissed I had inquiries made, and there is a launch of that description"

"Could it have gone up the river?"

"I have considered that possibility too, and there is a search-party ork up as far as Richmond If no news coo for the men rather than the boat But surely, surely, we shall hear so"

We did not, however Not a word caencies There were articles in edy They all appeared to be rather hostile to the unfortunate Thaddeus Sholto No fresh details were to be found, however, in any of the day I walked over to Ca to report our ill success to the ladies, and on my return I found Holmes dejected and somewhat morose He would hardly reply toin an abstruse che of retorts and distilling of vapors, ending at last in a smell which fairly droveI could hear the clinking of his test-tubes which told ed in his malodorous experiment

In the early daith a start, and was surprised to find hi by my bedside, clad in a rude sailor dress with a pea-jacket, and a coarse red scarf round his neck

"I a it over in my , at all events"

"Surely I can come with you, then?" said I

"No; you can be much more useful if you will reo, for it is quite on the cards that soins was despondent about it last night I want you to open all notes and telegrament if any news should come Can I rely upon you?"