"No, sir "

" go down it and acquaintance Professor Halloa, Hopkins ! , indeed The Professor's corridor is also lined with coconut matting "

"Well, sir, what ? "

"Don't any bearing case ? Well, well, I don't insist upon it wrong And yet it seems suggestive Come with me and introduce me "

We passed down the passage, same length which led garden end was short flight of steps ending in door Our guide knocked, and then ushered us Professor's bedroom

very large chamber, lined with innumerable volumes, which had overflowed shelves and lay in piles corners, or were stacked all round base cases The bed was centre room, and , propped up with pillows, owner house seldom seen more remarkable-looking person gaunt, aquiline face turned towards us, with piercing dark eyes, which lurked in deep hollows under overhung and tufted brows His hair and beard were white, save latter was curiously stained with yellow around his mouth cigarette glowed amid the tangle of white hair, air room was fetid with stale tobacco-smoke As he held out his hand to Holmes I perceived also was stained yellow with nicotine

"A smoker, Mr Holmes ? " said he, speaking well-chosen English with curious little mincing accent "Pray take cigarette And you, sir ? recommend them, for them especially prepared by Ionides of Alexandria He sends me thousand , and I grieve that to arrange for fresh supply every fortnight Bad, sir, very bad, but an old man has few pleasures Tobacco and my work -- all left "

Holmes had lit cigarette, and was shooting little darting glances all over the room

"Tobacco and my work, but now only tobacco," the old man exclaimed "Alas ! what fatal interruption ! Who foreseen such terrible catastrophe ? So estimable young man ! I assure you that after ' training an admirable assistant What matter, Mr Holmes ? "

" made up my mind "

" indeed be indebted throw light where all is so dark To poor bookworm and invalid like myself such blow is paralysing I seem lost the faculty of thought But man of action -- man of affairs part everyday routine of your life preserve your balance in every emergency fortunate indeed in having you at our side "

Holmes was pacing up and down one side room whilst the old Professor was talking I observed that smoking with extraordinary rapidity evident that he shared our host's liking fresh Alexandrian cigarettes

"Yes, sir, crushing blow," said the old man " my MAGNUM OPUS -- the pile of papers side table yonder my analysis documents found Coptic monasteries of Syria and Egypt, work which will cut deep very foundations of revealed religion With my enfeebled health know whether ever to complete it now that my assistant taken from me Dear me, Mr Holmes; why, even quicker smoker than myself "

Holmes smiled

" connoisseur," said he, taking another cigarette box -- his fourth -- and lighting it stub which he had finished " trouble you with any lengthy cross-examination, Professor Coram, since I gather that you were in bed crime and could know nothing only ask this What imagine poor fellow meant by his last words: `The Professor -- she' ? "

The Professor shook his head

"Susan is country girl," said he, "and the incredible stupidity class I fancy poor fellow murmured some incoherent delirious words, she twisted them meaningless message "

" no explanation yourself tragedy ? "

"Possibly an accident; possibly -- I only breathe it among ourselves -- suicide Young men have their hidden troubles -- some affair heart, perhaps, which never known more probable supposition than murder "

"But the eye-glasses ? "

"Ah ! only student -- man of dreams explain the practical things of life But still, aware, my friend, that love-gages may take strange shapes By all means take another cigarette pleasure anyone appreciate them so fan, glove, glasses -- who knows what article carried as token or treasured when man puts an end life ? This gentleman speaks of footsteps grass; but, after all, easy mistaken point knife, it might well be thrown far unfortunate man as he fell possible that I speak as child, but it seems that Willoughby Smith has met his fate by his own hand "

Holmes seemed struck theory thus put forward, and he continued to walk up and down for , lost in thought and consuming cigarette after cigarette

"Tell me, Professor Coram," , at last, " cupboard bureau ? "

"Nothing help thief Family papers, letters from my poor wife, diplomas of Universities done me honour key look "

Holmes picked up the key and looked at it for an instant; then he handed it back

"No; I hardly think would help me," said he " prefer quietly down to your garden and turn the whole matter over in my head something said theory of suicide which put forward apologise for having intruded upon you, Professor Coram, and I promise that we won't disturb you until after lunch At two o'clock come again and report anything have happened interval "

Holmes was curiously distrait, and we walked up and down the garden path for in silence

" clue ? " I asked, at last

"It depends upon those cigarettes that I smoked," said he " possible that utterly mistaken The cigarettes will show me "

"My dear Holmes," I exclaimed, "how on earth ----"

"Well, well, see , there's no harm done , we always have the optician clue back upon, but I take short cut when get it Ah, good Mrs Marker ! enjoy five minutes of instructive conversation with her "

remarked Holmes had, when he liked, peculiarly ingratiating way with women, he very readily established terms of confidence In half the time which he had named he had captured the housekeeper's goodwill, and was chatting with her he had known her for years

"Yes, Mr Holmes, say, sir smoke something terrible All day and sometimes all night, sir I've seen that room of morning -- well, sir, you'd have thought London fog Poor young Mr Smith, smoker also, but not as bad Professor His health -- well, I don't know 's better nor worse smoking "

"Ah ! " said Holmes, "but it kills the appetite "