" fairly complete in essentials who the author revolting business is, although victims still escapes us , formed your own conclusions "

"I presume Jim Browner, the steward of Liverpool boat, man whom you suspect ? "

"Oh ! more than suspicion "

"And yet I anything save very vague indications "

" contrary, to my mind nothing more clear Let me run over the principal steps We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind, always an advantage We had formed no theories We were simply there to observe and to draw inferences observations What did we see first ? very placid and respectable lady, who seemed quite innocent of any secret, and portrait which showed me that she had two younger sisters It instantly flashed across my mind box meant for I set the idea aside as one which disproved or confirmed at our leisure Then we went garden, remember, and we saw the very singular contents little yellow box

"The string was quality used by sailmakers aboard ship, and at once whiff sea was perceptible investigation When I observed knot was one popular with sailors, parcel posted at port, and male ear was pierced for an earring more common among sailors than landsmen, quite certain that all the actors tragedy were found among our seafaring classes

"When to examine the address packet I observed to Miss S Cushing Now, the oldest sister would, , be Miss Cushing, and although her initial was 'S' it might belong to others case to commence our investigation from fresh basis altogether I therefore went house intention of clearing up this point about to assure Miss Cushing that convinced that mistake made may remember that suddenly to stop The fact I had just seen something which filled me with surprise and same time narrowed the field inquiry immensely

"As medical man, aware, Watson, no part body which varies human ear Each ear is as rule quite distinctive and differs from all other ones In last year's Anthropological Journal two short monographs from my pen I had, therefore, examined the ears box eyes of an expert and had carefully noted their anatomical peculiarities Imagine my surprise, then, when on looking at Miss Cushing I perceived that her ear corresponded exactly female ear which I had just inspected The matter was entirely beyond coincidence the same shortening pinna, the same broad curve upper lobe, the same convolution inner cartilage In all essentials it same ear

" I at once saw the enormous importance observation evident victim was blood relation and probably very close one I began to her about her family, and you remember that she at once some exceedingly valuable details

" first place, her sister's name was Sarah, and her address had until recently been the same, so quite obvious how the mistake had occurred and for whom the packet was meant Then we heard steward, married third sister, and learned that he had at been so intimate with Miss Sarah that she had actually gone Liverpool near the Browners, but quarrel had afterwards divided them This quarrel had put stop to all communications for some months, if Browner had occasion to address packet to Miss Sarah, undoubtedly so to her old address

"And now the matter had begun to straighten itself out wonderfully We had learned existence steward, an impulsive man, of strong passions -- you remember that he threw up what must very superior berth nearer wife -- subject, too, to occasional fits of hard drinking We had reason that his wife murdered, man -- presumably seafaring man -- murdered same time Jealousy, , at once suggests itself motive crime And why should these proofs deed be sent to Miss Sarah Cushing ? Probably because during her residence in Liverpool she had some hand in bringing events which led tragedy observe line of boats calls at Belfast, Dublin, and Waterford; , presuming that Browner had committed the deed and had embarked at once upon his steamer, the May Day, Belfast the first place at which post his terrible packet

"A second solution was stage obviously possible, and although it exceedingly unlikely, determined to elucidate it before going further An unsuccessful lover killed Mr and Mrs Browner, male ear belonged husband There were many grave objections theory, but conceivable I therefore sent off telegram to my friend Algar, Liverpool force, and asked him out if Mrs Browner were at home, and if Browner had departed May Day Then we went on to Wallington to visit Miss Sarah

" curious, first place, how far the family ear reproduced in her Then, , she might information, but not sanguine that She heard business the day before, since all Croydon was ringing with it, and she alone understood for whom the packet was meant If she willing to help justice probably have communicated police already However, clearly our duty her, so we went news arrival packet -- for her illness dated -- had such an effect upon her bring on brain fever clearer than ever that she understood its full significance, but equally clear that to wait for any assistance from her

"However, we were really independent of her help Our answers were waiting police-station, where I had directed Algar to Nothing more conclusive Mrs Browner's house closed for more than three days, neighbours were of opinion that she had gone south her relatives It ascertained shipping offices that Browner had left aboard May Day, and I calculate that due Thames to-morrow night When he arrives met obtuse but resolute Lestrade, and that all our details filled in "

Sherlock Holmes was not disappointed expectations Two days later he received bulky envelope, which contained short note detective, and typewritten document, which covered several pages of foolscap

"Lestrade has got him all right," said Holmes, glancing up at me "Perhaps it would interest you to hear what