" understand, Dr Watson, professor had no secrets from me If I were his son or his younger brother have more completely enjoyed his confidence As his secretary I handled every paper which came to him, and I opened and subdivided his letters Shortly after his return all changed me that certain letters might come to him from London which marked by cross under the stamp These were set aside own eyes only say that several did pass through my hands, had the E C mark, and were in an illiterate handwriting If he answered them at all the answers pass through my hands nor letterbasket our correspondence was collected "

" box," said Holmes

"Ah, yes, the box The professor brought back little wooden box travels It which suggested Continental tour, for one quaint carved things which one associates with Germany This he placed instrument cupboard One day, in looking for canula, up the box To my surprise very angry, and reproved me in words which were quite savage curiosity It first time such thing had happened, and deeply hurt I endeavoured to explain mere accident that I had touched the box, but all the evening conscious that he looked at me harshly and incident was rankling mind " Mr Bennett drew little diary book pocket "That was on July 2d," said he

" certainly an admirable witness," said Holmes " need dates which noted "

"I learned method among other things from my great teacher time that I observed abnormality behaviour my duty to study his case Thus it here very day, July 2d, that Roy attacked the professor as study hall Again, on July 11th, scene same sort, and then note of yet another upon July 20th we had to banish Roy stables dear, affectionate animal -- but I weary you "

Mr Bennett spoke in tone of reproach, for very clear that Holmes was not listening His face was rigid eyes gazed abstractedly ceiling With an effort he recovered himself

"Singular ! Most singular ! " he murmured "These details were new , Mr Bennett now fairly gone over the old ground, have we not ? But you spoke of some fresh developments "

The pleasant, open face visitor clouded over, shadowed by some grim remembrance "What I speak of occurred the night before last," said he " lying awake about two morning, when aware of dull muffled sound coming passage I opened my door and peeped out explain professor sleeps end passage --"

"The date being ? " asked Holmes

Our visitor was clearly annoyed at so irrelevant an interruption

" said, sir, the night before last -- , September 4th "

Holmes nodded and smiled

"Pray continue," said he

"He sleeps end passage and my door to reach the staircase really terrifying experience, Mr Holmes that as strong-nerved as my neighbours, but shaken by what The passage was dark save that one window halfway along it threw patch of light I that something was coming along the passage, something dark and crouching Then suddenly it emerged light, and he crawling, Mr Holmes -- crawling ! not quite hands and knees rather say hands and feet, face sunk between his hands Yet to move with ease so paralyzed sight not until he had reached my door that able to step forward and ask if assist him His answer was extraordinary He sprang up, spat out some atrocious word at me, and hurried on past me, and down the staircase I waited about for an hour, but come back It must daylight before he regained his room "

"Well, Watson, what make you ? " asked Holmes air pathologist who presents rare specimen

"Lumbago, possibly known severe attack make man walk in just such way, and nothing more trying temper "

"Good, Watson ! You always keep us flat-footed ground But hardly accept lumbago, since able to stand erect in moment "

" never better in health," said Bennett " , stronger than known him for years But the facts, Mr Holmes case consult the police, and yet utterly at our wit's end what , and in some strange way that drifting towards disaster Edith -- Miss Presbury -- feels as , that wait passively any longer "

" certainly very curious and suggestive case What , Watson ? "

"Speaking as medical man," said I, "it appears case for an alienist The old gentleman's cerebral processes were disturbed love affair journey abroad hope of breaking himself passion His letters box connected with some other private transaction -- loan, perhaps, or share cenificates, which are box "

" wolfhound disapproved financial bargain No, no, Watson, more than this Now, only suggest --"

What Sherlock Holmes was about to suggest will never be known, for moment the door opened and young lady was shown room As she appeared Mr Bennett sprang up with cry and ran forward hands out to meet those which she had herself outstretched

"Edith, dear ! Nothing the matter, ? "

" follow you Oh, Jack, so dreadfully frightened ! awful there alone "

" Mr Holmes, young lady I spoke of my fiancee "

"We were gradually coming conclusion, were we not, Watson ? " Holmes answered with smile "I take it, Miss Presbury, some fresh development case, you thought know ? "

Our new visitor, bright, handsome girl of conventional English type, smiled back at Holmes as she seated herself beside Mr Bennett

"When Mr Bennett had left his hotel probably find him here , he had told me that consult you But, oh, Mr Holmes, do nothing poor father ? "

" hopes, Miss Presbury, but the case is still obscure Perhaps what may throw some fresh light upon it "