" said, gentlemen, that this man's wife fifty and I foolish girl of twenty when we married in city of Russia, University -- name the place "

"God bless you, Anna ! " murmured the old man again

"We were reformers -- revolutionists -- Nihilists, you understand He and I and many more Then there came time of trouble, police officer was killed, many were arrested, evidence was wanted, and to save his own life and to earn great reward my husband betrayed his own wife companions Yes, we were all arrested upon his confession Some of us found our way gallows and some to Siberia last, but my term was not for life My husband came to England ill-gotten gains, and has lived in quiet , knowing well that Brotherhood knew where not week would pass before justice "

The old man reached out trembling hand and helped himself to cigarette " in your hands, Anna," said he "You were always good "

" told you the height villainy," said she "Among our comrades Order one who friend heart noble, unselfish, loving -- all that my husband was not He hated violence We were all guilty -- is guilt -- but not He wrote for ever dissuading us from such course These letters saved him So would my diary, from day to day I had entered both my feelings towards him view which each of us had taken My husband found and kept both diary and letters He hid them, and he tried hard to swear away the young man's life he failed, but Alexis was sent convict to Siberia, where now, moment, he works in salt mine Think , you villain, you villain; now, now, very moment, Alexis, man whose name worthy , works and lives like slave, and yet your life in my hands and I let you go "

"You were always noble woman, Anna," said the old man, puffing at his cigarette

She had risen, but she fell back again with little cry of pain

" finish," she said "When my term was over I set myself the diary and letters which, if sent Russian Government, would procure my friend's release that my husband had come to England After months of searching I discovered where that he still had the diary, for when in Siberia I had letter once reproaching me and quoting some passages from its pages Yet sure that revengeful nature never give it own free will get it object I engaged an agent from private detective firm, who entered my husband's house as secretary -- your second secretary, Sergius, the one who left you so hurriedly that papers were kept cupboard, and he got an impression key go farther He furnished me with plan house, and me that forenoon the study was always empty, secretary was employed up here So at last my courage in both hands and down the papers I succeeded, but at what cost !

"I had just taken the papers and was locking the cupboard young man seized me I had seen him already that morning He had met me road and I had asked him me where Professor Coram lived, not knowing that employ "

"Exactly ! exactly ! " said Holmes "The secretary came back and told his employer woman he had met Then last breath he tried to send message she -- the she whom he had just discussed "

" let me speak," said the woman, in an imperative voice, and her face contracted in pain "When he had fallen I rushed room, chose the wrong door, and found myself in my husband's room He spoke of giving me up I showed him that if so his life was in my hands If he law give him Brotherhood not that I wished to live own sake, but it I desired to accomplish my purpose that do what -- that his own fate was involved in mine reason and for no other he shielded me He thrust me into that dark hiding-place, relic of old days, known only to himself his meals own room, and so was able part food agreed that police left the house slip away by night and come back no more But in some way read our plans " She tore bosom of her dress small packet "These are my last words," said she; " packet which will save Alexis I confide it to your honour and to your love of justice Take it ! deliver it Russian Embassy Now my duty, and ----"

"Stop her ! " cried Holmes He had bounded across the room and had wrenched small phial from her hand

"Too late ! " she said, sinking back bed "Too late ! the poison before I left my hiding-place My head swims ! going ! I charge you, sir, to remember the packet "

"A simple case, and yet in some ways an instructive one," Holmes remarked, travelled back to town "It hinged outset pince-nez But fortunate chance dying man having seized these not sure that ever have reached our solution clear strength glasses wearer must very blind and helpless when deprived asked me that she walked along narrow strip of grass without once making false step I remarked, remember, noteworthy performance In my mind I set it down as an impossible performance, save unlikely case that she had second pair of glasses forced, therefore, to seriously consider the hypothesis that she had remained house On perceiving the similarity two corridors it became clear that she might very easily such mistake, and case evident that she entered the Professor's room keenly alert, therefore, for whatever would bear out this supposition, and I examined the room narrowly for anything shape of hiding-place The carpet seemed continuous and firmly nailed, so I dismissed the idea of trap-door There might well be recess behind the books aware, such devices are common in old libraries I observed that books were piled floor at all other points, but that one bookcase was left clear This, then, the door I no marks to guide me, but the carpet was of dun colour, which lends itself to examination I therefore smoked great number excellent cigarettes, and I dropped the ash all over the space in front suspected bookcase simple trick, but exceedingly effective I then went downstairs and I ascertained, in your presence, Watson, without your perceiving the drift remarks, that Professor Coram's consumption of food had increased -- as one would expect when supplying second person We then ascended room again, when, by upsetting the cigarette-box, I obtained very excellent view floor, and was able quite clearly, traces cigarette ash, prisoner had, absence, come out from her retreat Well, Hopkins, here at Charing Cross, and I congratulate you on having brought your case to successful conclusion going to head-quarters, , Watson, you drive together Russian Embassy "