"Why had he no ticket ? "

"The ticket shown which station was nearest the agent's house Therefore it murdered man's pocket "

"Good, Lestrade, ," said Holmes "Your theory holds together But true, then the case is at an end one hand, the traitor is dead other, the plans Bruce-Partington submarine are presumably already Continent What ? "

"To act, Sherlock- to act ! " cried Mycroft, springing feet "All my instincts are against this explanation Use your powers ! Go scene crime ! See the people concerned ! Leave no stone unturned ! In all your career never had so great chance of serving your country "

"Well, well ! " said Holmes, shrugging his shoulders "Come, Watson ! And you, Lestrade, could you favour us with your company for an hour or two ? begin our investigation by visit to Aldgate Station Good-bye, Mycroft let report before evening, but I warn you in advance that little to expect "

An hour later Holmes, Lestrade and I stood Underground railroad point where it emerges tunnel immediately before Aldgate Station courteous red-faced old gentleman represented the railway company

" where the young man's body lay," said he, indicating spot about three feet metals "It have fallen from above, , as , are all blank walls Therefore, it could only have come from train, train, trace it, passed about midnight on Monday "

"Have the carriages been examined for any sign of violence ? "

" no such signs, and no ticket found "

"No record of door being found open ? "

"None "

" some fresh evidence ," said Lestrade "A passenger who passed Aldgate in an ordinary Metropolitan train about 11:40 on Monday night declares that he heard heavy thud, as of body striking the line, just train reached the station dense fog, however, and nothing seen no report of it Why, whatever matter with Mr Holmes ? "

My friend was standing with an expression of strained intensity upon his face, staring railway metals where they curved tunnel Aldgate is junction, and network of points his eager, questioning eyes were fixed, and keen, alert face that tightening lips, that quiver nostrils, and concentration heavy, tufted brows which

"Points," he muttered; "the points "

"What of it ? What ? "

"I suppose no great number of points on system such ? "

"No; very few "

"And curve, too Points, and curve By Jove ! were only so "

" it, Mr Holmes ? clue ? "

"An idea- an indication, no more But the case certainly grows in interest Unique, perfectly unique, and yet ? any indications of bleeding line "

"There were hardly any "

"But I understand that considerable wound "

"The bone was crushed, but no great external injury "

"And yet one expected some bleeding Would it be possible to inspect the train which contained the passenger who heard the thud of fall fog ? "

" not, Mr Holmes The train broken up before now, carriages redistributed "

" assure you, Mr Holmes," said Lestrade, "that every carriage carefully examined myself "

one friend's most obvious weaknesses that impatient with less alert intelligences than his own

"Very likely," said he, turning away "As it happens, not the carriages which I desired to examine Watson, all here not trouble you any further, Mr Lestrade our investigations must now carry us to Woolwich "

At London Bridge, Holmes wrote telegram brother, which he handed before dispatching it It ran thus:

See some light darkness, but it may possibly flicker out Meanwhile, please send by messenger, to await return at Baker Street, complete list of all foreign spies or international agents known in England, with full address

SHERLOCK

"That helpful, Watson," he remarked took our seats Woolwich train "We certainly owe Brother Mycroft debt for having introduced us to what promises really very remarkable case "

His eager face still wore that expression of intense and high-strung energy, which showed me that some novel and suggestive circumstance had opened up stimulating line of thought See the foxhound with hanging cars and drooping tail as it lolls kennels, and compare it same hound as, with gleaming eyes and straining muscles, it runs upon breast-high scent- such change in Holmes morning different man limp and lounging figure mouse-coloured dressing-gown who had prowled so restlessly only few hours before round the fog-girt room

" material here scope," said he " dull indeed not understood its possibilities "

"Even now dark "

"The end is dark also, but hold of one idea lead us far The man met his death elsewhere, body was roof of carriage "

" roof ! "

"Remarkable, not ? But consider the facts coincidence found very point where the train pitches and sways as it comes round points ? place where an object roof expected off ? The points would affect no object inside the train Either the body fell roof, or very curious coincidence has occurred But now consider the question blood , no bleeding line body had bled elsewhere Each fact is suggestive in itself Together cumulative force "

" ticket, too ! " I cried

"Exactly explain the absence of ticket explain it Everything fits together "

"But suppose it were so, still as far as ever from unravelling the mystery death Indeed, it becomes not simpler but stranger "

"Perhaps," said Holmes thoughtfully, "perhaps " He relapsed into silent reverie, which lasted until the slow train drew up at last in Woolwich Station There cab and drew Mycroft's paper pocket

" quite little round of afternoon calls ," said he " that Sir James Walter claims our first attention "

The house famous official was fine villa with green lawns stretching down Thames reached it the fog was lifting, and thin, watery sunshine was breaking through butler answered our ring

"Sir James, sir ! " said he with solemn face "Sir James died "

"Good heavens ! " cried Holmes in amazement "How did he die ? "

"Perhaps care to step in, sir, his brother, Colonel Valentine ? "

"Yes, we had best "

We were ushered into dim-lit drawing-room, where an instant later we were joined by very tall, handsome, light-bearded man of fifty, the younger brother dead scientist His wild eyes, stained cheeks, and unkempt hair all spoke sudden blow which had fallen household hardly articulate as he spoke of it

"It horrible scandal," said he "My brother, Sir James, was man of very sensitive honour, and survive such an affair It broke his heart always so proud efficiency department, and crushing blow "

"We had hoped that given us some indications which helped us to clear the matter up "

"I assure you all mystery to him and to all of us He had already put all his knowledge disposal police Naturally he had that Cadogan West was guilty But all the rest was inconceivable "

" throw any new light affair ? "