" given orders that Arthur liberated, not, dad ? " she asked

"No, no, my girl, the matter probed bottom "

"But so sure that innocent what woman's instincts are that he no harm sorry for having acted so harshly "

"Why is he silent, then, if innocent ? "

"Who knows ? Perhaps because so angry that suspect him "

"How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him coronet hand ? "

"Oh, but he had only picked it look at it Oh, do, do take my word that innocent Let the matter drop and say no more so dreadful dear Arthur in prison ! "

" never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary ! Your affection for Arthur blinds you awful consequences Far from hushing the thing up, brought gentleman down from London to inquire more deeply "

"This gentleman ? " she asked, facing round

"No, his friend us to leave him alone round stable lane now "

"The stable lane ? " She raised her dark eyebrows "What can he hope there ? Ah ! this, I suppose, is he I trust, sir, that succeed in proving, what truth, that my cousin Arthur is innocent crime "

"I fully share your opinion, and I trust, , that prove it," returned Holmes, going back mat to knock the snow shoes "I believe the honour of addressing Miss Mary Holder Might I question or two ? "

"Pray do, sir, may help to clear this horrible affair up "

"You heard nothing yourself last night ? "

"Nothing, until my uncle here began loudly I heard that, and down "

"You shut up the windows and doors the night before Did you fasten all the windows ? "

"Yes "

"Were they all fastened ? "

"Yes "

" maid who has sweetheart ? that you remarked to your uncle last night that she out him ? "

"Yes, and she girl who waited drawing-room and who heard uncle's remarks coronet "

" You infer that she may out her sweetheart, and two planned the robbery "

"But the good of all these vague theories," cried the banker impatiently, "when told you that Arthur coronet hands ? "

"Wait little, Mr Holder come back girl, Miss Holder You saw her return kitchen door, I presume ? "

"Yes; when I went door was fastened night I met her slipping in the man, too, gloom "

" him ? "

"Oh, yes ! he green-grocer who brings our vegetables round His name is Francis Prosper "

"He stood," said Holmes, " left door-- , farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door ? "

"Yes, "

"And man with wooden leg ? "

Something like fear sprang up young lady's expressive black eyes "Why, like magician," said she "How that ? " She smiled, but no answering smile in Holmes's thin, eager face

" now upstairs," said he " probably wish over the outside house again Perhaps I had better take look lower windows before I go up "

He walked swiftly round from one other, pausing only large one which looked hall onto the stable lane This he opened and made very careful examination sill powerful magnifying lens "Now go upstairs," said he at last

The banker's dressing-room was plainly furnished little chamber, with grey carpet, large bureau, and long mirror Holmes went bureau first and looked hard lock

"Which key was used to open it ? " he asked

"That which my son himself indicated--that cupboard lumber-room "

" it here ? "

" it dressing-table "

Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau

" noiseless lock," said he " no wonder wake you , I presume, contains the coronet look at it " He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he laid it table magnificent specimen jeweller's art, thirty-six stones were the finest that ever seen At one side coronet was cracked edge, where corner holding three gems torn away

"Now, Mr Holder," said Holmes, " corner which corresponds been so unfortunately lost Might I beg that break it off "

The banker recoiled in horror "I dream of trying," said he

"Then " Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but without result " it give little," said he; "but, though exceptionally strong fingers, it would take me all to break it An ordinary man Now, what would happen if break it, Mr Holder ? There noise like pistol shot tell me that all this happened within few yards of your bed you heard nothing of it ? "

" know what all dark "

"But perhaps it may grow lighter go What , Miss Holder ? "

"I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity "

"Your son had no shoes or slippers on saw him ? "

"He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt "

" certainly been favoured with extraordinary luck during this inquiry, and entirely our own fault if succeed in clearing the matter up With your pemmission, Mr Holder, now continue my investigations outside "

He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult For an hour or more at work, returning at last feet heavy with snow features as inscrutable as ever

" that now all , Mr Holder," said he; " serve you best by returning to my rooms "

"But the gems, Mr Holmes Where are they ? "

" tell "

The banker wrung his hands " never see them again ! " he cried "And my son ? You hopes ? "

"My opinion is in no way altered "

"Then, for God's sake, what dark business acted in my house last night ? "

" call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow morning between nine and ten happy what it clearer I understand that you carte blanche to act , provided only that I get back the gems, you place no limit sum draw "

" give my fortune them back "