"Dear me, certainly very interesting case Then knife, was there not ? "

"A sheath-knife, still in its sheath It lay feet dead man Mrs Carey has identified it as being her husband's property "

Holmes was lost in thought for

"Well," said he, at last, "I suppose out look at it "

Stanley Hopkins gave cry of joy

" , sir indeed be weight off my mind "

Holmes shook his finger inspector

"It an easier task week ago," said he "But even now my visit may not be entirely fruitless Watson, spare the time of your company call four-wheeler, Hopkins, ready to start for Forest Row in quarter of an hour "

Alighting small wayside station, we drove for some miles remains of widespread woods, which were once part great forest which for held the Saxon invaders at bay -- the impenetrable "weald," for sixty years the bulwark of Britain Vast sections of it cleared, for seat first iron-works country, trees felled to smelt the ore Now the richer fields North have absorbed the trade, and nothing save these ravaged groves and great scars earth show the work past Here in clearing green slope of hill stood long, low stone house, approached by curving drive running fields Nearer the road, and surrounded on three sides by bushes, was small outhouse, one window door facing direction It scene murder !

Stanley Hopkins led us first house, where he introduced us to haggard, grey-haired woman, the widow murdered man, whose gaunt and deep-lined face, furtive look of terror depths of her red-rimmed eyes, told years of hardship and ill-usage which she had endured With her was her daughter, pale, fair-haired girl, whose eyes blazed defiantly at us as she told us that she was glad that her father was dead, she blessed the hand which had struck him down terrible household that Black Peter Carey had made for himself, and with sense of relief that ourselves sunlight again and making our way along path which worn across the fields feet dead man

The outhouse simplest of dwellings, wooden-walled, shingle-roofed, one window beside the door and one farther side Stanley Hopkins drew the key pocket, and had stooped lock, when he paused with look of attention and surprise upon his face

"Someone tampering with it,"

There fact The woodwork was cut scratches showed white paint, as that instant done Holmes examining the window

"Someone has tried to force this also Whoever has failed his way in been very poor burglar "

" most extraordinary thing," said the inspector; " swear marks here yesterday evening "

"Some curious person village, perhaps," I suggested

"Very unlikely Few would dare to set foot grounds, far less try to force their way cabin What of it, Mr Holmes ? "

" that fortune is very kind "

"You mean person will come again ? "

" very probable expecting the door open He tried in blade of penknife manage it What would he do ? "

"Come again next night with more useful tool "

"So say our fault if there to receive him Meanwhile, let me see the inside cabin "

The traces tragedy removed, but the furniture little room still stood as it night crime For two hours, with most intense concentration, Holmes examined every object in turn, but his face showed that his quest was not successful one Once only he paused patient investigation

" taken anything off this shelf, Hopkins ? "

"No; moved nothing "

"Something taken less dust corner shelf than elsewhere It may book lying on its side It may box Well, well, do nothing more walk beautiful woods, Watson, and give few hours birds flowers meet you here later, Hopkins, come to closer quarters gentleman who has paid this visit night "

past eleven o'clock when we formed our little ambuscade Hopkins was for leaving the door hut open, but Holmes was opinion that rouse the suspicions stranger The lock was perfectly simple one, and only strong blade was needed to push it back Holmes also suggested that wait, not inside the hut, but outside it bushes which grew round the farther window able to watch our man if he struck light, what his object was stealthy nocturnal visit

long and melancholy vigil, and yet brought with it something thrill which the hunter feels when he lies beside the water pool and waits coming thirsty beast of prey What savage creature which might steal upon us darkness ? fierce tiger of crime, which could only be taken fighting hard with flashing fang and claw, or would it prove some skulking jackal, dangerous only weak and unguarded ?

In absolute silence we crouched amongst the bushes, waiting for whatever might come At first the steps of few belated villagers, or the sound of voices village, lightened our vigil; but one by one these interruptions died away and an absolute stillness fell upon us, save chimes distant church, which told us progress night, and rustle and whisper of fine rain falling amid the foliage which roofed us in

Half-past two had chimed, and it darkest hour which precedes the dawn, when we all started as low but sharp click came direction gate Someone had entered the drive Again long silence, and I had begun to fear false alarm, when stealthy step was heard other side hut, and moment later metallic scraping and clinking The man was trying to force the lock ! his skill was greater or his tool was better, for sudden snap creak hinges Then match was struck, and next instant the steady light from candle filled the interior hut gauze curtain our eyes were all riveted scene within