"So now, my dear fellow, exactly how we stand and why you perfectly plain that ladies parted man he followed them at distance, that the quarrel between husband and wife window, that he rushed in, and creature which he carried box got loose all very certain But he only person world tell us exactly what happened room "

"And you intend to ask him ? "

"Most certainly--but presence of witness "

"And the witness ? "

" so good If clear the matter up, well and good If he refuses, no alternative but to apply for warrant "

"But how he'll be there when we return ? "

" that some precautions one Baker Street boys mounting guard over him stick to him like burr, go where he might find him in Hudson Street to-morrow, Watson, and meanwhile the criminal myself if I kept you out of bed any longer "

midday when ourselves scene tragedy, and, under my companion's guidance, our way at once to Hudson Street capacity for concealing his emotions, easily see that Holmes was in state of suppressed excitement, while myself tingling half-sporting, half-intellectual pleasure which I invariably experienced when I associated myself investigations

" street," said he, turned into short thoroughfare lined with plain tow-storied brick houses "Ah, Simpson to report "

"He's in all right, Mr Holmes," cried small street Arab, running up

"Good, Simpson ! " said Holmes, patting him head "Come along, Watson house " He sent card with message that he had come on important business, and moment later we were man whom we had come warm weather crouching over fire, little room was like an oven The man sat all twisted and huddled chair in way which gave an indescribably impression of deformity; but the face which he turned towards us, though worn and swarthy, must at remarkable for its beauty He looked suspiciously at us now out of yellow-shot, bilious eyes, and, without speaking or rising, he waved towards two chairs

" Mr Henry Wood, late of India, I believe," said Holmes, affably "I've come over this little matter of Colonel Barclay's death "

"What should ? "

"That's what to ascertain , I suppose, that unless the matter is cleared up, Mrs Barclay, an old friend of yours, will in all probability be tried for murder "

The man gave violent start

"I don't know who ," he cried, "nor how you come what know, but swear true that you tell me ? "

"Why, only waiting for her to her senses to arrest her "

"My God ! police yourself ? "

"No "

"What business of yours, then ? "

"It's every man's business justice done "

" take my word that innocent "

"Then guilty "

"No, not "

"Who killed Colonel James Barclay, then ? "

" just providence that killed him But, mind you this, that if I had knocked his brains out, as in my heart , had no more than his due from my hands If his own guilty conscience struck him down likely enough that had his blood upon my soul me the story Well, I don't know why I shouldn't, for there's no cause ashamed of it

" , sir me now with my back like camel and by ribs all awry, but time when Corporal Henry Wood smartest man 117th foot We were in India then, in cantonments, at place we'll call Bhurtee Barclay, who died the other day, was sergeant same company as myself, belle regiment, ay, finest girl that ever had the breath of life between her lips, was Nancy Devoy, the daughter colour-sergeant There were two men that loved her, and one that she loved, and you'll smile look poor thing huddled fire, and hear me say good looks that she loved me

"Well, though I had her heart, her father was set upon her marrying Barclay harum-scarum, reckless lad, and he had had an education, and was already marked sword-belt But the girl held true , and it seemed that had her Mutiny broke out, and all hell was loose country

"We were shut up in Bhurtee, the regiment of us with half battery of artillery, company of Sikhs, and lot of civilians and women-folk There were ten thousand rebels round us, were as keen as set of terriers round rat-cage second week of it our water gave out, and question whether communicate with General Neill's column, moving up country our only chance, for hope to fight our way out with all the women and children, so I volunteered out and to warn General Neill danger My offer was accepted, and it over with Sergeant Barclay, who was supposed the ground better than man, and who drew up route get rebel lines At ten o'clock the same night I started off upon my journey There were thousand lives to save, but of that thinking when I dropped over the wall that night

"My way ran down dried-up watercourse, which we hoped would screen me enemy's sentries; but as I crept round the corner of it I walked right into six , who were crouching down dark waiting In an instant stunned with blow and bound hand and foot But the real blow was to my heart and not to my head, for as to and listened to as understand talk, I heard enough me that my comrade, the very man who had arranged the way that , had betrayed me of native servant hands enemy