"Tell me what happened "

" awakened night dog barking most furiously Poor Roy, chained now near the stable say that I always sleep with my door locked; for, as Jack -- as Mr Bennett -- will tell you, we all have feeling of impending danger My room is second floor It happened blind was up in my window, and bright moonlight outside As I lay with my eyes fixed square of light, listening frenzied barkings dog, amazed my father's face looking in at me Mr Holmes, I nearly died of surprise and horror There pressed against the windowpane, and one hand seemed raised to push up the window window had opened, gone mad no delusion, Mr Holmes Don't deceive yourself by thinking so I dare say twenty seconds or I lay paralyzed and watched the face Then it vanished, but -- spring out of bed and look out after it I lay cold and shivering till morning At breakfast sharp and fierce in manner, and made no allusion adventure night Neither did I, but an excuse for coming to town -and here "

Holmes looked thoroughly surprised at Miss Presbury's narrative

"My dear young lady, you say that your room is second floor long ladder garden ? "

"No, Mr Holmes, amazing part of it no possible way of reaching the window -- and yet there "

"The date being September 5th," said Holmes "That certainly complicates matters "

It young lady's turn to look surprised " second time that alluded date, Mr Holmes," said Bennett " possible has any bearing case ? "

" possible -- very possible -- and yet my full material at present "

"Possibly thinking connection between insanity and phases moon ? "

"No, I assure you quite different line of thought Possibly leave your notebook with me, check the dates Now , Watson, line of action is perfectly clear This young lady has informed us -- and the greatest confidence in her intuition -- that her father remembers little or nothing which occurs upon certain dates therefore call upon him he had given us an appointment date put it down own lack of memory Thus open our campaign by having good close view of him "

" excellent," said Mr Bennett "I warn you, however, professor is irascible and violent at times "

Holmes smiled " reasons why come at once -- very cogent reasons theories hold good To-morrow, Mr Bennett, will certainly see us in Camford , if I remember right, an inn called the Chequers where the port used above mediocrity linen was above reproach , Watson, lot next might lie in less pleasant places "

Monday morning found us way famous university town -- an easy effort of Holmes, who had no roots to pull up, but one which involved frantic planning and hurrying on my part, as my practice was not inconsiderable Holmes made no allusion case until after we had deposited our suitcases ancient hostel he had spoken

" , Watson, that catch the professor just before lunch He lectures at eleven and an interval at home "

"What possible excuse have we for calling ? "

Holmes glanced at his notebook

" period of excitement upon August 26th assume that little hazy what at such times insist that there by appointment hardly venture to contradict us the effrontery necessary it through ? "

" but try "

"Excellent, Watson ! Compound Busy Bee and Excelsior but try -- the motto firm friendly native will surely guide us "

Such one back of smart hansom swept us past row of ancient colleges and, finally turning into tree-lined drive, pulled up door of charming house, girt round with lawns and covered with purple wistaria Professor Presbury was certainly surrounded with every sign of comfort but of luxury Even pulled up, grizzled head appeared front window, and we were aware of pair of keen eyes from under shaggy brows which surveyed us through large horn glasses moment later we were actually sanctum, mysterious scientist, whose vagaries had brought us from London, was standing certainly no sign of eccentricity either manner or appearance, for portly, largefeatured man, grave, tall, and frock-coated, dignity of bearing which lecturer needs His eyes were his most remarkable feature, keen, observant, and clever verge of cunning

He looked at our cards "Pray sit down, gentlemen What can ? "

Mr Holmes smiled amiably

"It question which about , Professor "

" , sir ! "

"Possibly some mistake I heard through second person that Professor Presbury of Camford had need services "

"Oh, indeed ! " It seemed that malicious sparkle intense gray eyes "You heard that, did you ? May I name of your informant ? "

" sorry, Professor, but the matter was rather confidential If mistake no harm done only express my regret "

"Not at all wish funher into It interests me any scrap of writing, any letter or telegram, to bear out your assertion ? "

"No, "

"I presume that go assert that I summoned you ? "

" rather answer no questions," said Holmes

"No, I dare say not," said the professor with asperity "However, that particular one answered very easily without your aid "

He walked across the room bell Our London friend Mr Bennett, answered the call

"Come in, Mr Bennett These two gentlemen have come from London under the impression summoned You handle all my correspondence note of anything going to person named Holmes ? "

"No, sir," Bennett answered with flush

" conclusive," said the professor, glaring angrily at my companion "Now, sir" -- he leaned forward two hands table --" it seems that your position is very questionable one "

Holmes shrugged his shoulders

" only repeat that sorry that needless intrusion "

"Hardly enough, Mr Holmes ! " the old man cried in high screaming voice, with extraordinary malignancy upon his face He got door as he spoke, and he shook his two hands at us with furious passion " hardly get out of it so easily " His face was convulsed, and he grinned and gibbered at us senseless rage convinced that had to fight our way room if Mr Bennett intervened

"My dear Professor," he cried, "consider your position ! Consider the scandal university ! Mr Holmes is wellknown man possibly treat him discourtesy "

Sulkily our host -- if call him so -- cleared the path door We were glad ourselves outside the house and quiet tree-lined drive Holmes seemed great ! y amused episode

"Our learned friend's nerves are somewhat out of order," said he "Perhaps our intrusion was little crude, and yet gained that personal contact which I desired But, dear me, Watson, surely at our heels The villain still pursues us "

There were the sounds of running feet behind, but , to my relief, not the formidable professor but his assistant who appeared round the curve drive panting up

" so sorry, Mr Holmes I wished to apologize "