" in vain to argue , for very obstinate man I went about, however, with heart full of forebodings

" third day coming letter my father went from home to visit an old friend , Major Freebody, in command of forts upon Portsdown Hill glad that go, seemed that farther from danger when away from home , however, in error second day absence I received telegram major, imploring me at once My father had fallen over deep chalk-pits which abound neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with shattered skull I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recov- ered his consciousness He had, as it appears, been returning from Fareham twilight, and country was unknown to him, chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in bringing in verdict of 'death from accidental causes ' Carefully as I examined every fact connected death, unable anything which could suggest the idea of murder There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no robbery, no record of strangers having been seen roads And yet not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, well-nigh certain that some foul plot woven round him

" sinister way into my inheritance ask me why dispose of it ? I answer, because well convinced troubles were in some way dependent upon an incident in my uncle's life, and danger as pressing in one house as in another

" in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two years and eight months have elapsed since then During lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to this curse had passed way family, it had ended last generation I had begun comfort too soon, however; yesterday morning the blow fell very shape it had come upon my father "

The young man took waistcoat crumpled envelope, and turning table he shook out upon it five little dried orange pips

" envelope," he continued "The postmark is London -- eastern division Within are the very words which were upon my father's last message: 'K K K '; and then 'Put the papers sundial ' "

"What done ? asked Holmes

"Nothing "

"Nothing ? "

" the truth" -- he sank his face into his thin, white hands -- " felt helpless felt like one poor rabbits snake is writhing towards it I grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and no precautions can guard against "

"Tut ! tut ! " cried Sherlock Holmes " act, man, or lost Nothing but energy can save you no time for despair "

" the police "

"Ah ! "

"But they listened to my story with smile convinced inspector has formed the opinion letters are all practical jokes, and deaths relations were really accidents, jury stated, and connected warnings "

Holmes shook his clenched hands air "Incredible imbecility ! " he cried

" , however, allowed me policeman, re- main house with me "

"Has he come to-night ? "

"No His orders were to stay house "

Again Holmes raved air

"Why did you come ," he cried, "and, above all, why did you not come at once ? "

" know only to-day that I spoke to Major Prendergast troubles and was advised by him "

" really two days since you had the letter acted before this no further evidence, I suppose, than that which placed -- no suggestive detail which might ? "

" ," said John Openshaw He rummaged coat pocket, and, drawing out piece of discoloured, blue- tinted paper, he laid it out table " some remem- brance," said he, "that day when my uncle burned the papers I observed small, unburned margins which lay amid the ashes were particular colour this single sheet floor room, and inclined papers , perhaps, fluttered out from others, and way has escaped destruction Beyond the mention of pips, helps us much myself page from some private diary The writing is undoubtedly my uncle's "

Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which showed by its ragged edge had indeed been torn from book headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the following enigmatical notices:

4th Hudson came Same old platform

7th Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and John Swain,

of St Augustine

9th McCauley cleared

1Oth John Swain cleared

12th Visited Paramore All well

" ! " said Holmes, folding up the paper and return- ing it to our visitor "And now on no account lose another instant spare time even to discuss what told me get home instantly and act "

"What shall ? "

" but It at once put this piece of paper which shown us brass box which described also put in note that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and the which remains assert that words as will carry conviction Having done this, at once put the box out sundial, as directed understand ? "

"Entirely "

" think of revenge, or anything sort, at present that gain that law; but our web to weave, while theirs is already woven The first consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens you The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the guilty parties "

" ," said the young man, rising and pulling overcoat " given me fresh life certainly do advise "

" lose an instant And, above all, take care of yourself meanwhile, for that there doubt that threatened by very real and imminent danger How go back ?

"By train from Waterloo "

"It nine The streets crowded, so l trust that in safety And yet guard yourself too closely "

" armed "

" well To-morrow set to work upon your case "

" see you at Horsham, then ? "

"No, your secret lies in London It that seek it "