For moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy brought tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring with frightened eyes at his accuser

" almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which possibly need, so little which tell me Still, that little may be cleared case complete You had heard, Ryder, blue stone Countess of Morcar's ? "

" Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in crackling voice

" -- her ladyship's waiting-maid Well, the temptation of sudden wealth so easily acquired was , for better men ; but you very scrupu- lous means you used It seems , Ryder, the making of very pretty villain in you man Horner, the plumber, concerned in some such matter before, suspicion would rest the more readily upon him What did , then ? some small job in my lady's room -- you and your confederate Cusack -- and you managed that the man sent for Then, when he had left, you rifled the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man arrested You then --"

Ryder threw himself down suddenly rug and clutched at my companion's knees "For God's sake, have mercy ! " he shrieked "Think father ! mother ! It would break their hearts I never went wrong before ! I never will again I swear it I'll swear it on Bible Oh, don't bring it into court ! For Christ's sake, don't ! "

"Get back into your chair ! " said Holmes sternly " to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough poor Horner dock for crime nothing "

" fly, Mr Holmes leave the country, sir Then the charge against him will break down "

"Hum ! talk And now hear true account next act How came the stone goose, and how came the goose open market ? Tell us the truth, for there lies your only hope of safety "

Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips " tell you it just as it happened, sir," said he "When Horner arrested, it seemed best away stone at once, for know at what moment the police take it into their heads to search me and my room no place hotel where it safe I went out, on some commission, and sister's house She had married man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Road, where she fattened fowls market All the way there every man I met seemed policeman or detective; and, for all cold night, the sweat was pouring down my face before Brixton Road My sister asked me the matter, and why so pale; but her that I upset jewel robbery hotel Then I went back yard and smoked pipe and wondered what it best

"I had friend once called Maudsley, who went bad, and has just been serving his time in Pentonville One day he had met me, and fell into talk ways of thieves, and how get rid of what they stole that true , for things about him; so up my mind right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my confidence show me how the stone into money But how to him in safety ? agonies I had gone through in coming hotel at any moment be seized and searched, and there the stone in my waistcoat pocket leaning against the wall and looking geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly an idea came into my head which showed me how beat the best detective that ever lived

"My sister had told me some weeks the pick of her geese for Christmas present, and that she was always as good as her word take my goose now, and carry my stone to Kilburn little shed yard, and behind this I drove birds -- fine big one, white, with barred tail I caught it, and prying its bill open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger could reach The bird gave gulp, and the stone pass along its gullet and down into its crop But the creature flapped and struggled, and out came my sister the matter As I turned to her the brute broke loose and fluttered off others

" 'Whatever were you doing bird, Jem ? ' says she

" 'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd one for Christmas, and feeling the fattest '

" 'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside -- Jem's bird, we call it It's the big white one over yonder There's twenty-six , which makes one , and one , and two dozen market '

" ' , Maggie,' says l; 'but all the same , I'd rather have that one handling just now '

" 'The other is good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we fattened it expressly '

" 'Never mind I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I

" 'Oh, just like,' said she, little huffed ' it , then ? '

" 'That white one barred tail, right middle flock '

" 'Oh, Kill it and take it '

"Well, what she said, Mr Holmes, and I carried the bird all the way to Kilburn my pal what I had done, for man easy thing like that to He laughed until he choked, and we got knife and opened the goose My heart turned to water, for no sign stone, and that some terrible mistake had occurred I left the bird rushed back to my sister's, and hurried back yard not bird seen there

" 'Where are they all, Maggie ? ' I cried

" 'Gone dealer's, Jem '

" 'Which dealer's ? '

" 'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden '

" 'But was there another with barred tail ? ' I asked, 'the same one I chose ? '

" 'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and never tell them apart '

"Well, then, it all, and I ran off as hard as my feet would carry me man Breckinridge; but he had sold the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me where they had gone You heard him yourselves to-night Well, he has always answered me like that My sister thinks that going mad Sometimes that myself And now -- and now myself branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth I sold my character God help me ! God help me ! " He burst into convulsive sobbing, face buried hands

long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes's finger-tips edge table Then my friend rose and threw open the door

"Get out ! " said he

"What, sir ! Oh, Heaven bless you ! "

"No more words Get out ! "

And no more words were needed rush, clatter stairs, the bang of door, crisp rattle of running footfalls street

"After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand clay pipe, " not retained police to supply their deficiencies If Horner were in danger it another thing; but this fellow will not appear against him, case must collapse I suppose that commuting felony but just possible that saving soul This fellow will not go wrong again; too terribly frightened to jail now, and you make him jail-bird for life Besides, season of forgiveness Chance has put way most singular and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward If the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, begin another investigation, , also bird the chief feature "