"I suppose the Professor eats hardly anything ? "

"Well, variable I'll say that for him "

"I'll wager no breakfast , and won't face his lunch after all the cigarettes him consume "

"Well, you're out there, sir, as it happens, for he ate remarkable big breakfast I don't know when I've known him make better one, and he's ordered good dish of cutlets lunch I'm surprised myself, for since into that room yesterday and saw young Mr Smith lying there floor I couldn't bear to look at food Well, it takes all sorts world, Professor hasn't let it take his appetite away "

We loitered the morning away garden Stanley Hopkins had gone down village to look into some rumours of strange woman who seen by some children Chatham Road the previous morning my friend, all his usual energy seemed deserted him I had never known him handle case half-hearted fashion Even the news brought back by Hopkins that he had found the children and had undoubtedly seen woman exactly corresponding with Holmes's description, and wearing either spectacles or eye-glasses, failed to rouse any sign of keen interest more attentive when Susan, who waited upon us at lunch, volunteered the information that she believed Mr Smith out for walk yesterday morning, he had only returned half an hour tragedy occurred myself see the bearing incident, but I clearly perceived that Holmes was weaving it general scheme which he had formed brain Suddenly he sprang chair and glanced at his watch

"Two o'clock, gentlemen," said he " go up it out friend the Professor "

The old man had just finished his lunch, and certainly his empty dish bore evidence good appetite his housekeeper had credited him , indeed, weird figure as he turned his white mane glowing eyes towards us The eternal cigarette smouldered mouth He dressed and was seated in an arm-chair fire

"Well, Mr Holmes, solved this mystery yet ? " He shoved the large tin of cigarettes which stood on table beside him towards my companion Holmes stretched out his hand same moment, and they tipped the box over the edge For minute or two we were all knees retrieving stray cigarettes from impossible places When we rose again I observed that Holmes's eyes were shining cheeks tinged with colour Only at crisis have I seen those battle-signals flying

"Yes," said he, " solved it "

Stanley Hopkins and I stared in amazement Something like sneer quivered over the gaunt features old Professor

"Indeed ! garden ? "

"No, here "

"Here ! When ? "

"This instant "

" surely joking, Mr Sherlock Holmes You compel me you too serious matter treated fashion "

" forged and tested every link chain, Professor Coram, and sound What your motives are or what exact part you play strange business not yet probably hear it from your own lips Meanwhile reconstruct past for your benefit, know the information which I still require

"A lady yesterday entered your study She came intention of possessing herself of certain documents which were in your bureau She had key of her own an opportunity of examining yours, and find that slight discoloration which the scratch made varnish produced You an accessory, therefore, and she came, as read the evidence, without your knowledge to rob you "

The Professor blew cloud lips " most interesting and instructive," said he " no more to add ? Surely, having traced this lady , also say what has become of her "

" endeavour first place she was seized by your secretary, and stabbed him to escape This catastrophe inclined to regard as an unhappy accident, for convinced lady had no intention of inflicting so grievous an injury An assassin come unarmed Horrified by what she had done she rushed wildly away scene tragedy Unfortunately for her she had lost her glasses scuffle, and as she was extremely short-sighted she was really helpless without them She ran down corridor, which she imagined that she had come -- both were lined with coconut matting -- and only when too late that she understood that she had taken the wrong passage her retreat was cut off behind her she ? go back remain where she was go on She went on She mounted stair, pushed open door, and found herself in your room "

The old man sat mouth open staring wildly at Holmes Amazement and fear were stamped upon his expressive features Now, with an effort, he shrugged his shoulders and burst into insincere laughter

"All very fine, Mr Holmes," said he "But one little flaw in your splendid theory myself in my room, and I never left it during the day "

" aware , Professor Coram "

"And you mean that lie upon that bed and not be aware that woman had entered my room ? "

"I never said so You WERE aware of it You spoke with her You recognised her You aided her to escape "

Again the Professor burst into high-keyed laughter He had risen feet eyes glowed like embers

" mad ! " he cried " talking insanely I helped her to escape ? Where is she now ? "

"She ," said Holmes, and he pointed to high bookcase corner room

the old man throw up his arms, terrible convulsion passed over his grim face, and he fell back chair same instant the bookcase at which Holmes pointed swung round upon hinge, and woman rushed out room " right ! " she cried, in strange foreign voice " right ! here "

She was brown dust and draped cobwebs which had come walls of her hiding-place Her face, too, was streaked with grime, and best never handsome, for she had the exact physical characteristics which Holmes had divined, with, , long and obstinate chin What with her natural blindness, and what change from dark to light, she stood as one dazed, blinking about her where and who we were And yet, of all these disadvantages, certain nobility woman's bearing, gallantry defiant chin and upraised head, which compelled something of respect and admiration Stanley Hopkins had laid his hand upon her arm and claimed her as his prisoner, but she waved him aside gently, and yet with an overmastering dignity which compelled obedience The old man lay back chair, with twitching face, and stared at her with brooding eyes

"Yes, sir, your prisoner," she said "From where I stood hear everything, and that learned the truth I confess it all I who killed the young man But right, you who say an accident even know knife which I held in my hand, for in my despair I snatched anything table and struck at him him let me go truth that I tell "

"Madam," said Holmes, " the truth that far from well "

She had turned dreadful colour, the more ghastly under the dark dust-streaks upon her face She seated herself side bed; then she resumed

" only little time here," she said, "but you the whole truth this man's wife an Englishman Russian His name tell "

first time the old man stirred "God bless you, Anna ! " he cried "God bless you ! "