"At first the maid thought that young Smith was already dead, but on pouring some water carafe over his forehead he opened his eyes for an instant `The Professor,' he murmured -- ` she ' The maid is prepared to swear were the exact words He tried desperately something else, and he held his right hand up air Then he fell back dead

" meantime the housekeeper had also arrived scene, but she was just too late to catch the young man's dying words Leaving Susan body, she hurried Professor's room sitting up in bed horribly agitated, for he had heard enough him that something terrible had occurred Mrs Marker is prepared to swear Professor was still night-clothes, and, indeed, impossible for him to dress without the help of Mortimer, whose orders were at twelve o'clock The Professor declares that he heard the distant cry, but that nothing more give no explanation young man's last words, `The Professor -- she,' but imagines were the outcome of delirium He believes that Willoughby Smith an enemy , and can give no reason crime His first action was to send Mortimer the gardener local police little later the chief constable sent Nothing was moved before I got there, and strict orders were given that no one should walk paths leading house splendid chance of putting your theories into practice, Mr Sherlock Holmes really nothing wanting "

"Except Mr Sherlock Holmes," said my companion, with somewhat bitter smile "Well, hear What sort of job did you make of it ? "

" first, Mr Holmes, to glance rough plan, which will general idea position Professor's study various points case in following my investigation "

He unfolded the rough chart, which I here reproduce, and he laid it across Holmes's knee I rose, and, standing behind Holmes, I studied it over his shoulder

" very rough, , and it only deals points which seem essential All the rest later Now, first of all, presuming assassin entered the house, how did he or she come in ? Undoubtedly garden path back door, direct access study way exceedingly complicated The escape also been made along that line, for two other exits room one was blocked by Susan as she ran downstairs other leads straight Professor's bedroom I therefore directed my attention at once garden path, saturated with recent rain and would certainly show any footmarks

"My examination showed me that dealing with cautious and expert criminal No footmarks were found path There no question, however, that someone had passed along the grass border which lines the path, he had done so to avoid leaving track find anything nature of distinct impression, but the grass was trodden down and someone had undoubtedly passed It could only the murderer, since neither the gardener nor anyone else there that morning rain had only begun during the night "

"One moment," said Holmes "Where does this path lead to ? "

" road "

"How long ? "

"A hundred yards or so "

" point where the path passes gate surely pick up the tracks ? "

"Unfortunately, the path was tiled point "

"Well, road itself ? "

"No; all trodden into mire "

"Tut-tut ! Well, then, these tracks grass, were they coming or going ? "

" impossible never any outline "

"A large foot or small ? "

" distinguish "

Holmes gave an ejaculation of impatience

" pouring rain and blowing hurricane ," said he " harder to read now than that palimpsest Well, well, it can't be helped What did , Hopkins, after you had made certain that you had made certain of nothing ? "

" certain of , Mr Holmes that someone had entered the house cautiously from without I next examined the corridor lined with coconut matting and had taken no impression of any kind This brought me study itself scantily-furnished room The main article is large writing-table with fixed bureau This bureau consists of double column of drawers with central small cupboard The drawers were open, the cupboard locked The drawers, it seems, were always open, and nothing of value was kept There were some papers of importance cupboard, but there were no signs tampered with, Professor assures me that nothing was missing certain that no robbery committed

"I come now body young man found near the bureau, and just left of it, as marked upon that chart The stab was right side neck and from behind forwards, so almost impossible self-inflicted "

"Unless he fell knife," said Holmes

"Exactly The idea crossed my mind But the knife some feet away body, seems impossible Then, , the man's own dying words And, finally, this piece of evidence found clasped dead man's right hand "

pocket Stanley Hopkins drew small paper packet He unfolded it and disclosed golden pince-nez, with two broken ends of black silk cord dangling end of it

"Willoughby Smith had excellent sight," he added "There no question was snatched face or the person assassin "

Sherlock Holmes took the glasses into his hand and examined them utmost attention and interest He held them nose, endeavoured to read through them, went window and stared up the street , looked at them most minutely full light lamp, and finally, with chuckle, seated himself table and wrote few lines upon sheet of paper, which he tossed across to Stanley Hopkins

"That's the best do ," said he "It may prove of some use "

The astonished detective read the note aloud It ran as follows:--

"Wanted, woman of good address, attired like lady She has remarkably thick nose, with eyes which are set close upon either side of it She has puckered forehead, peering expression, and probably rounded shoulders indications that she has had recourse to an optician twice As her glasses are of remarkable strength and as opticians very numerous, there no difficulty in tracing her "

Holmes smiled astonishment of Hopkins, reflected upon my features