"How on earth--"

"My dear fellow, you well the military neatness which characterises you You shave every morning, and season you shave sunlight; but since your shaving is complete get farther back left side, until it becomes positively slovenly get round the angle jaw, surely very clear that that side is less illuminated other imagine man of your habits looking at himself in an equal light and being satisfied result I only quote this as trivial example of observation and inference Therein lies my metier, and just possible of some service investigation which lies minor points which were brought out inquest, and which are worth considering "

" they ? "

"It appears that his arrest take place at once, but return to Hatherley Farm inspector of constabulary informing him that prisoner, he remarked that not surprised to hear it, and no more than his deserts This observation had the natural effect of removing any traces of doubt which remained minds coroner's jury "

" confession," I ejaculated

"No, for followed by protestation of innocence "

"Coming top damning series of events, most suspicious remark "

" contrary," said Holmes, " brightest rift which at present see clouds However innocent , be such an absolute imbecile as not circumstances were very black against him Had he appeared surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such surprise or anger natural under the circumstances, and yet might appear the best policy to scheming man His frank acceptance situation marks him as either an innocent man, or else as man of considerable self-restraint and firmness As remark about his deserts, also not unnatural consider that he stood beside the dead body father, and that he had that very day forgotten his filial duty bandy words , and even, according little girl whose evidence is so important, to raise his hand to strike him The self-reproach and contrition which are displayed remark appear the signs of healthy mind rather than of guilty on "

I shook my head "Many men hanged on far slighter evidence," I remarked

"So And many men wrongfully hanged "

" the young man's own account matter ? "

" , afraid, not very encouraging supporters, though points which are suggestive it here, and may read it "

He picked out bundle copy local Herefordshire paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the paragraph unfortunate young man had given his own statement of what had occurred I settled myself down corner carriage and read it very carefully It ran :

Mr James McCarthy, the only son deceased, was then called and gave evidence as follows: "I away from home for three days at Bristol, and had only just returned morning of last Monday, the 3d My father was absent from home arrival, and informed maid that he had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom Shortly after my return I heard the wheels trap yard, and, looking out window, him get out and walk rapidly yard, though not aware direction going I then took my gun and strolled out direction Boscombe Pool, intention of visiting the rabbit warren other side On my way William Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated evidence; but mistaken in thinking that following my father I had no idea that in front of me When about hundred yards pool I heard cry of 'Cooee ! ' usual signal between my father and myself I then hurried forward, and found him standing pool He appeared much surprised at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what doing there conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, father was man of very violent temper Seeing that his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned towards Hatherley Farm I gone more than 150 yards, however, when I heard hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to run back again my father expiring ground, head terribly injured I dropped my gun and held him in my arms, but he almost instantly expired I knelt beside him for some minutes, and then made my way to Mr Turner's lodge-keeper, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance no one near my father when I returned, and no idea how by his injuries not popular man, being somewhat cold and forbidding manners, but he had, as far as , no active enemies nothing further matter "

"The Coroner: 'Did your father make any statement before he died ? '

"Witness: 'He mumbled few words, but only catch some allusion to rat '

"The Coroner: 'What did you understand ? '

"Witness: 'It conveyed no meaning that delirious '

"The Coroner: ' the point you and your father had this final quarrel ? '

"Witness: ' prefer not to answer '

"The Coroner: ' afraid that press it '

"Witness: ' really impossible you assure you has nothing sad tragedy which followed '

"The Coroner: ' court to decide not point out that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case considerably in any future proceedings arise'

"Witness: ' still refuse '

"The Coroner: 'I understand cry of "Cooee" was common signal between you and your father ? '

"Witness: ' '

"The Coroner: 'How , then, that he uttered it before you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol ? '

"Witness (with considerable confusion): ' know '

"A Juryman: 'Did nothing which aroused your suspicions returned on hearing the cry and found your father fatally injured ? '

"Witness: 'Nothing definite '

"The Coroner: 'What ? '

"Witness: ' so disturbed and excited as I rushed out open, that think of nothing except father Yet vague impression that as I ran forward something lay ground left of me It seemed something grey in colour, coat of some sort, or plaid perhaps When I rose from my father I looked round , but gone '

"' disappeared went for help ? '

"'Yes, gone '

"' say what ? '

"'No, I had feeling something was there '

"'How far body ? '

"'A dozen yards or so '

"'And how far edge wood ? '

"' same '

"'Then removed while you were within dozen yards of it ? '

"'Yes, but with my back towards it '

"This concluded the examination witness "