"Yes," , " follow each of your arguments I confess, however, that unable to understand how you arrive double visit optician "

Holmes took the glasses hand

" perceive," , " clips are lined with tiny bands of cork to soften the pressure nose is discoloured and worn to some slight extent, but the other is new Evidently one has fallen off and been replaced judge older there more than They exactly correspond, so I gather lady went back same establishment second "

"By George, it's marvellous ! " cried Hopkins, in an ecstasy of admiration " that I had all that evidence in my hand and never knew it ! I had intended, however, the round London opticians "

" Meanwhile, anything more us case ? "

"Nothing, Mr Holmes that as now -- probably more inquiries made any stranger seen country roads or railway station heard of none What beats me utter want of all object crime Not ghost of motive can anyone suggest "

"Ah ! there not to But I suppose us out to-morrow ? "

"If asking , Mr Holmes There's train from Charing Cross to Chatham at six morning, and at Yoxley Old Place between eight and nine "

"Then take it Your case has certainly some features of great interest, and delighted to look Well, it's nearly one, and we had best get few hours' sleep I dare say manage all right sofa in front fire I'll light my spirit-lamp and cup of coffee before we start "

The gale had blown itself out , but bitter morning when we started upon our journey We saw the cold winter sun rise over the dreary marshes Thames long, sullen reaches river, which ever associate pursuit Andaman Islander earlier days career After long and weary journey we alighted at small station some miles from Chatham While horse was being put into trap local inn we snatched hurried breakfast, and so we were all ready for business when we at last arrived at Yoxley Old Place constable met us garden gate

"Well, Wilson, any news ? "

"No, sir, nothing "

"No reports of any stranger seen ? "

"No, sir Down station certain that no stranger either came or went yesterday "

" had inquiries made at inns and lodgings ? "

"Yes, sir; no one that account for "

"Well, it's only reasonable walk to Chatham Anyone might stay there, or take train without being observed garden path I spoke, Mr Holmes I'll pledge my word no mark yesterday "

" side were the marks grass ? "

"This side, sir This narrow margin of grass path flower-bed 't see the traces now, but they were clear then "

"Yes, yes; someone has passed along," said Holmes, stooping over the grass border "Our lady picked her steps carefully, must she not, since one side leave track path, and other an even clearer one soft bed ? "

"Yes, sir, cool hand "

an intent look pass over Holmes's face

"You say that she come back ? "

"Yes, sir; no other "

" strip of grass ? "

"Certainly, Mr Holmes "

"Hum ! very remarkable performance -- very remarkable Well, exhausted the path go farther This garden door is usually kept open, I suppose ? Then this visitor had nothing but to walk in The idea of murder was not in her mind, or she provided herself with some sort of weapon, instead of having to pick this knife off the writing-table She advanced corridor, leaving no traces coconut matting Then she found herself study How long was she there ? no means of judging "

"Not more than , sir I forgot you that Mrs Marker, the housekeeper, in there tidying not very long before -- about quarter of an hour, she says "

"Well, that gives us limit Our lady enters this room and what does she do ? She goes over writing-table What for ? Not for anything drawers If there anything worth her taking it would surely locked up No; for something wooden bureau Halloa ! what scratch face of it ? Just hold match, Watson Why did you not tell me , Hopkins ? "

The mark which examining began brass work right-hand side keyhole, and extended for about four inches, where it had scratched the varnish surface

"I noticed it, Mr Holmes But you'll always find scratches round keyhole "

" recent, quite recent See how the brass shines where cut An old scratch the same colour surface Look at it through my lens There's the varnish, too, like earth on each side of furrow Is Mrs Marker there ? "

sad-faced, elderly woman came room

"Did you dust this bureau yesterday morning ? "

"Yes, sir "

"Did you notice this scratch ? "

"No, sir, "

" , for duster swept away these shreds of varnish Who key bureau ? "

"The Professor keeps it watch-chain "

" simple key ? "

"No, sir; Chubb's key "

" Mrs Marker, go Now making little progress Our lady enters the room, advances bureau, and either opens it or tries While thus engaged young Willoughby Smith enters the room In her hurry to withdraw the key she makes this scratch door He seizes her, and she, snatching up the nearest object, which happens this knife, strikes at him him let go his hold The blow is fatal one He falls and she escapes, either with or without the object she Is Susan the maid there ? Could anyone have got away door time that you heard the cry, Susan ? "

"No sir; impossible Before I got down the stair I'd have seen anyone passage Besides, the door never opened, for heard it "