"Where are they now ? "

" kitchen, I believe "

"Then we had better hear their story at once "

The old hall, oak-panelled and high-windowed, turned into court of investigation Holmes sat in great, old-fashioned chair, his inexorable eyes gleaming out haggard face read set purpose to devote his life quest until the client whom he had failed to save should at last be avenged The trim Inspector Martin, the old, grey-headed country doctor, myself, and stolid village policeman made up the rest strange company

The two women told their story clearly enough They aroused from their sleep sound of an explosion, which followed minute later by second one They slept in adjoining rooms, and Mrs King had rushed in to Saunders Together they had descended the stairs The door study was open and candle was burning table Their master lay upon his face centre room quite dead Near the window his wife was crouching, her head leaning against the wall She was horribly wounded, side of her face was red with blood She breathed heavily, but was incapable of saying anything The passage, room, was full of smoke smell of powder The window was certainly shut and fastened inside Both women were positive point They had at once sent doctor and constable Then, aid groom stable-boy, they had conveyed their injured mistress to her room Both she and her husband had occupied the bed She was clad in her dress -- he dressing-gown, over his night clothes Nothing moved study knew there had never been any quarrel between husband and wife They had always looked upon them as very united couple

These were the main points servants' evidence In answer to Inspector Martin they were clear that every door was fastened inside, no one escaped house In answer to Holmes they both remembered were conscious smell of powder moment ran out rooms top floor "I commend that fact very carefully to your attention," said Holmes professional colleague "And now that to undertake thorough examination room "

The study proved small chamber, lined on three sides with books, and with writing-table facing an ordinary window, which looked out garden Our first attention was given body unfortunate squire, whose huge frame lay stretched across the room His disordered dress showed that he hastily aroused from sleep The bullet fired at him front, and had remained body after penetrating the heart His death had certainly been instantaneous and painless no powder-marking either upon his dressing-gown or hands According country surgeon the lady had stains upon her face, but none upon her hand

"The absence latter means nothing, though its presence may mean everything," said Holmes "Unless the powder from badly-fitting cartridge happens to spurt backwards, one may fire many shots without leaving sign Mr Cubitt's body may now be removed I suppose, doctor, recovered the bullet which wounded the lady ? "

"A serious operation necessary But still four cartridges revolver Two fired and two wounds inflicted, each bullet accounted for "

"So it would seem," said Holmes "Perhaps account also bullet so obviously struck the edge window ? "

He had turned suddenly, long, thin finger was pointing to hole which drilled right lower window-sash about an inch above the bottom

"By George ! " cried the inspector "How ever did that ? "

"Because I looked "

"Wonderful ! " said the country doctor " certainly right, sir Then third shot fired, and therefore third person must present But that and how could he have got away ? "

" problem now about to solve," said Sherlock Holmes "You remember, Inspector Martin, servants said that on leaving their room they were at once conscious of smell of powder I remarked point was an extremely important one ? "

"Yes, sir; but I confess quite follow you "

"It suggested that firing the window door room open Otherwise the fumes of powder blown so rapidly house draught room was necessary Both door and window were only open for very short time, however "

"How prove that ? "

"Because the candle guttered "

"Capital ! " cried the inspector "Capital ! "

"Feeling sure window open tragedy I conceived that there third person affair, who stood outside this opening and fired through it Any shot directed person might hit the sash I looked, and there, sure enough, bullet mark ! "

"But how came the window shut and fastened ? "

"The woman's first instinct to shut and fasten the window But, halloa ! what ? "

lady's hand-bag which stood study table -- trim little hand-bag of crocodile-skin and silver Holmes opened it and turned the contents out There were twenty fifty-pound notes Bank of England, held together by an india-rubber band -- nothing else

"This preserved, for figure trial," said Holmes, as he handed the bag with its contents inspector " now necessary that try to throw some light third bullet, clearly, splintering wood, been fired from inside the room like Mrs King, the cook, again You said, Mrs King, that you were awakened by LOUD explosion said that, did you mean seemed louder second one ? "

"Well, sir, it wakened me from my sleep, and so hard to judge But it did seem very loud "

"You don't think two shots fired almost same instant ? "

" I couldn't say, sir "

"I believe undoubtedly so I rather think, Inspector Martin, that now exhausted all room can teach us kindly step round with me, see what fresh evidence the garden offer "

flower-bed extended study window, and we all broke into an exclamation approached it The flowers were trampled down, soft soil was imprinted all over with footmarks Large, masculine feet they were, with peculiarly long, sharp toes Holmes hunted about grass and leaves like retriever after wounded bird Then, with cry of satisfaction, he bent forward and picked up little brazen cylinder

" so," said he; "the revolver had an ejector, and third cartridge I really think, Inspector Martin, case is almost complete "

The country inspector's face had shown his intense amazement rapid and masterful progress of Holmes's investigation At first he had shown some disposition to assert his own position; but now overcome with admiration and ready without question wherever Holmes led

"Whom suspect ? " he asked

"I'll go into that later several points problem which to explain yet Now that got I had best proceed on my own lines, and then clear the whole matter up once and for all "

"Just wish, Mr Holmes, get our man "

" no desire mysteries, but impossible moment of action to enter into long and complex explanations the threads affair all in my hand Even lady should never recover consciousness still reconstruct the events of last night and ensure that justice First of all whether any inn neighbourhood known as `Elrige's' ? "

The servants were cross-questioned, but had heard place The stable-boy threw light matter by remembering that farmer name lived some miles off direction of East Ruston

" lonely farm ? "

"Very lonely, sir "

"Perhaps not heard yet of all that happened here during the night ? "

"Maybe not, sir "

Holmes thought for little and then curious smile played over his face