"Well, fairly steady nerves, , Mr Holmes, but I my word that I got shake when I put my head into that little house droning like harmonium flies and bluebottles, floor and walls were like slaughter-house He had called it cabin, and cabin sure enough, for thought that you were in ship bunk at one end, sea-chest, maps and charts, picture SEA UNICORN, line of log-books on shelf, all exactly as one would expect it in captain's room And there middle of it man himself, his face twisted like lost soul in torment, great brindled beard stuck upwards agony Right through his broad breast steel harpoon driven, and it had sunk deep wood wall behind him pinned like beetle on card , quite dead, and so instant that he had uttered that last yell of agony

" your methods, sir, and I applied them Before I permitted anything moved I examined most carefully the ground outside, and also the floor room There were no footmarks "

"Meaning that you saw none ? "

"I assure you, sir, that there were none "

"My good Hopkins, investigated many crimes, but never yet seen one committed by flying creature As long criminal remains upon two legs must there be some indentation, some abrasion, some trifling displacement which detected scientific searcher incredible blood-bespattered room contained no trace which aided us I understand, however, inquest that there were some objects which you failed to overlook ? "

The young inspector winced at my companion's ironical comments

" fool not you in , Mr Holmes However, that's past praying for now Yes, there were several objects room which called for special attention One harpoon the deed was committed It snatched down from rack wall Two others remained there, and vacant place third stock was engraved `Ss SEA UNICORN, Dundee ' This seemed to establish crime done in moment of fury, and murderer had seized the first weapon which came way The fact crime was committed at two morning, and yet Peter Carey was fully dressed, suggested that he had an appointment murderer, borne out fact that bottle of rum and two dirty glasses stood table "

"Yes," said Holmes; " that both inferences are permissible Was there spirit but rum room ? "

"Yes; tantalus containing brandy and whisky sea-chest of no importance , however, decanters were full, and it had therefore not been used "

"For all that its presence has some significance," said Holmes "However, hear some more objects which do seem to bear case "

" this tobacco-pouch table "

"What part table ? "

"It lay middle of coarse seal-skin -- the straight-haired skin, with leather thong to bind it Inside was `P C ' flap half an ounce of strong ship's tobacco "

"Excellent ! What more ? "

Stanley Hopkins drew pocket drab-covered note-book The outside was rough and worn, the leaves discoloured first page were written the initials "J H N " date "1883 " Holmes laid it table and examined it minute way, while Hopkins and I gazed over each shoulder second page were the printed letters "C P R ," and then came several sheets of numbers Another heading was Argentine, another Costa Rica, and another San Paulo, each with pages of signs and figures after it

"What make ? " asked Holmes

"They appear lists of Stock Exchange securities that `J H N ' were the initials of broker, `C P R ' may his client "

"Try Canadian Pacific Railway," said Holmes

Stanley Hopkins swore between his teeth and struck his thigh clenched hand

"What fool ! " he cried " , say Then `J H N ' are the only initials to solve already examined the old Stock Exchange lists, and find no one in 1883 either House or outside brokers whose initials correspond Yet clue most important one that I hold admit, Mr Holmes, possibility initials are those second person who was present -- in other words, murderer also urge introduction case of document relating to large masses of valuable securities gives us first time some indication of motive crime "

Sherlock Holmes's face showed that thoroughly taken aback new development

" admit both your points," said he "I confess note-book, which appear inquest, modifies any views which formed I had come to theory crime find no place endeavoured to trace any securities here mentioned ? "

"Inquiries are now being made offices, but complete register stockholders South American concerns is in South America, some weeks must elapse before trace the shares "

Holmes examining the cover note-book magnifying lens

"Surely some discoloration here," said he

"Yes, sir, blood-stain you that I picked the book off the floor "

" blood-stain above or below ? "

" side next the boards "

"Which proves, , book was dropped crime was committed "

"Exactly, Mr Holmes I appreciated that point, and I conjectured dropped murderer hurried flight It lay near the door "

"I suppose that none securities found property dead man ? "

"No, sir "

" any reason to suspect robbery ? "