What say you, Watson ? rise superior heat and run down to Croydon with me off chance of case for your annals ? "

" longing for something "

" it then Ring boots and tell them to order cab I'll be back in moment when changed my dressing-gown and filled my cigar-case "

shower of rain fell while we were train, heat was far less oppressive in Croydon than in town Holmes had sent on wire, Lestrade, as wiry, as dapper, and as ferret-like as ever, was waiting station walk of five minutes took us to Cross Street, where Miss Cushing resided

very long street of two-story brick houses, neat and prim, with whitened stone steps and little groups of aproned women gossiping doors Halfway down, Lestrade stopped and tapped at door, opened by small servant girl Miss Cushing was sitting front room, into which we were ushered She was placid-faced woman, with large, gentle eyes, and grizzled hair curving down over her temples on each side worked antimacassar lay upon her lap and basket of coloured silks stood upon stool beside her

" outhouse, those dreadful things," said she as Lestrade entered " that take them away altogether "

"So , Miss Cushing I only kept them here until my friend, Mr Holmes, seen them in your presence "

"Why in my presence, sir ? "

" to ask any questions "

" the use of asking me questions when I tell you nothing whatever ? "

"Quite so, madam," said Holmes soothing way " that annoyed more than enough already over this business "

"Indeed, , sir quiet woman and live retired life something new my name papers and the police in my house I won't have those things in here, Mr Lestrade them go outhouse "

small shed narrow garden which ran behind the house Lestrade went in and brought out yellow cardboard box, with piece of brown paper and some string bench end path, and we all sat down while Holmes examined, one by one, the articles which Lestrade had handed to him

"The string is exceedingly interesting," he remarked, holding it light and sniffing at it "What make string, Lestrade ? "

" tarred "

"Precisely piece of tarred twine also, , remarked that Miss Cushing has cut the cord with scissors, as seen double fray on each side of importance "

"I the importance," said Lestrade

"The importance lies fact knot is left intact, and knot is of peculiar character "

" very neatly tied I had already made note effect," said Lestrade complacently

" string, then," said Holmes, smiling, "now box wrapper Brown paper, with distinct smell of coffee What, did you not observe it ? there of it Address printed in rather straggling characters: 'Miss S Cushing, Cross Street, Croydon ' Done with broad-pointed pen, probably J, and with very inferior ink The word 'Croydon' originally spelled with an 'i,' been changed to 'y ' The parcel was directed, then, by man -- the printing is distinctly masculine -- of limited education and unacquainted town of Croydon , so good ! The box is yellow half-pound honeydew box, with nothing distinctive save two thumb marks left bottom corner filled with rough salt quality used for preserving hides and other coarser commercial purposes And embedded are these very singular enclosures "

out the two ears as he spoke, and laying board across his knee he examined them minutely, while Lestrade and I, bending forward on each side of him, glanced alternately dreadful relics and thoughtful, eager face companion Finally he returned them box once more and sat for while in deep meditation

" observed, ," said he at last, " ears pair "

"Yes, noticed that But were the practical joke of some students dissecting-rooms, it as easy to send two odd ears as pair "

"Precisely But practical joke "

" of it ? "

"The presumption is strongly against it Bodies dissectingrooms are injected with preservative fluid These ears bear no signs fresh, too They cut off with blunt instrument, which would hardly happen if student had done it Again, carbolic or rectified spirits the preservatives which would suggest themselves medical mind, certainly not rough salt I repeat no practical joke here, but that investigating serious crime "

vague thrill ran through me as I listened to my companion's words and saw the stern gravity which had hardened his features This brutal preliminary seemed to shadow forth some strange and inexplicable horror background Lestrade, however, shook his head like man only half convinced

" objections joke theory, ," said he, "but much stronger reasons against the other woman has led most quiet and respectable life at Penge and here twenty years She has hardly been away from her home for day during Why on earth, then, should any criminal send her the proofs guilt, especially as, unless most consummate actress, she understands quite as little matter do ? "

" problem which to solve," Holmes answered, "and part set by presuming that my reasoning is correct, double murder committed ears is woman's, small, finely formed, and pierced for an earring The other is man's, sun-burned, discoloured, and also pierced for an earring These two people are presumably dead, or heard their story before now To-day is Friday The packet was posted on Thursday morning The tragedy, then, occurred on Wednesday or Tuesday or earlier two people were murdered, who but their murderer sent this sign work to Miss Cushing ? take it sender packet man whom But some strong reason for sending Miss Cushing this packet What reason then ? It must her deed ! or to pain her, perhaps But case she knows who Does she know ? it If she knew, why should she call the police in ? She buried the ears, and no one the wiser what she done if she had wished to shield the criminal But if she wish to shield him give his name tangle here which needs straightening out " He talking in high, quick voice, staring blankly up over the garden fence, but now he sprang briskly feet and walked towards the house

" few questions to ask Miss Cushing," said he