"Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview but he slept badly on account uneasiness about his club debts middle night he heard soft tread pass his door, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised his cousin walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared into your dressing-room Petrified with astonishment the lad slipped on some clothes and waited there dark what would come strange affair Presently she emerged room again, and light passage-lamp your son saw that she carried the precious coronet in her hands She passed down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he what passed hall beneath her stealthily open the window, hand out the coronet to someone gloom, and then closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to where he stood hid behind the curtain

"As long as she was scene take any action without horrible exposure woman whom he loved But the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing misfortune , and how all-important to set it right He rushed down, just as , bare feet, opened the window, sprang out snow, and ran down the lane, where he dark figure moonlight Sir George Burnwell tried away, but Arthur caught him, and struggle , your lad tugging at one side coronet, opponent other scuffle, your son struck Sir George and cut him over the eye Then something suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your room, and had just observed coronet twisted struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it appeared scene "

" possible ? " gasped the banker

"You then roused his anger by calling him names at moment when that he had deserved your warmest thanks explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret "

" was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coronet," cried Mr Holder "Oh, my God ! what blind fool ! asking allowed out for five minutes ! The dear fellow wanted missing piece were scene struggle How cruelly misjudged him ! '

"When I arrived house," continued Holmes, "I at once went very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces snow which might help me that none had fallen evening before, and also that there strong frost to preserve impressions I passed along the tradesmen's path, but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable Just beyond it, however, far side kitchen door, woman had stood and talked with man, whose round impressions on one side showed that he had wooden leg even tell disturbed, woman had run back swiftly door, as was shown deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had waited little, and then had gone away the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had already spoken , and inquiry showed so I passed round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, which the police; but when I got stable lane very long and complex story was written snow in front of me

" double line of tracks of booted man, and second double line which with delight belonged to man with naked feet at once convinced from what you had told me latter was your son The first had walked both ways, but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the depression boot, obvious that he had passed other I followed them up and found they led hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while waiting Then I walked other end, hundred yards or more down the lane where Boots had faced round, where the snow was cut up there struggle, and, finally, where few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that not mistaken Boots had then run down the lane, and another little smudge of blood showed he who hurt When highroad other end, pavement cleared, so an end clew

"On entering the house, however, I examined, remember, the sill and framework hall window with my lens, and at once see that someone had passed out distinguish the outline of an instep where the wet foot placed in coming in then beginning an opinion what had occurred man had waited outside the window; someone had brought the gems; the deed overseen by your son; he had pursued the thief; had struggled ; they had each tugged coronet, their united strength causing injuries which neither alone effected He had returned prize, but had left fragment grasp opponent clear The question now was, who man and who brought him the coronet ?

" an old maxim that have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, the truth Now, not you who had brought it down, so there only remained your niece maids But were the maids, why should your son allow himself accused in their place ? There no possible reason As he loved his cousin, however, an excellent explanation why retain her secret--the more so secret was disgraceful one When I remembered that you had seen her window, and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture became certainty

"And it be who was her confederate ? lover evidently, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which feel ? that you went out little, your circle of friends was very limited one But among them was Sir George Burnwell I had heard of him before as being man of evil reputation among women It must he who wore those boots and retained the missing gems Even though that Arthur had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that safe, lad word without compromising his own family

"Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures next I went shape of loafer to Sir George's house, managed to pick up an acquaintance valet, learned that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying pair cast-off shoes I journeyed down to Streatham and saw exactly fitted the tracks "

" an ill-dressed vagabond lane yesterday evening," said Mr Holder

"Precisely I that I had my man, so home and changed my clothes delicate part which I had to play then, for that prosecution avoided to avert scandal, and that so astute villain would see hands were tied matter I went and saw him At first, , he denied everything But when him every particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down life-preserver wall my man, however, and I clapped pistol head before strike Then he became little more reasonable him that give him price stones he held 1000 pounds apiece That brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown 'Why, dash it all ! ' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred three ! ' I soon managed the address receiver who had them, on promising him that there no prosecution Off I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pounds apiece Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after what call really hard day's work "

"A day saved England from great public scandal," said the banker, rising "Sir, find words , but you find me ungrateful for what you Your skill has indeed exceeded all that heard of it And now fly to my dear boy to apologise to him wrong which him what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my very heart Not even your skill can inform me where now "

" that safely say," returned Holmes, "that wherever Sir George Burnwell is equally certain, too, that whatever her sins are, soon receive more than sufficient punishment "