"Did William say anything mother before going out ? "

" very old and deaf, and get no information from her The shock her half-witted, but I understand that she was never very bright one circumstance, however Look ! "

small piece of torn paper from note-book and spread it out upon his knee

" found finger and thumb dead man It appears fragment torn from larger sheet observe hour mentioned upon very time at which the poor fellow met his fate that his murderer torn the rest sheet or taken this fragment murderer It reads almost it were an appointment "

Holmes took up the scrap of paper, fac-simile of here reproduced

d at quarter to twelve learn what maybe

"Presuming an appointment," continued the Inspector, " conceivable theory William Kirwan--though he had the reputation of being an honest man, may in league thief met him there, may even have helped him to break door, and then they fallen out between themselves "

"This writing is of extraordinary interest," said Holmes, who examining it with intense concentration "These are much deeper waters than I had though " He sank his head upon his hands, while the Inspector smiled effect which his case had had famous London specialist

"Your last remark," said Holmes, presently, " possibility of there being an understanding burglar servant, and this being note of appointment from one other, is an ingenious and not entirely impossible supposition But this writing opens up--" He sank his head into his hands again and remained for some minutes deepest thought When he raised his face again, surprised that his cheek was tinged with colour, eyes as bright as before his illness He sprang feet with all his old energy

"I'll tell you what," said he, " like quiet little glance details of something which fascinates me extremely permit me, Colonel, leave my friend Watson and you, step round Inspector to test the truth of little fancies again in half an hour "

An hour and half had elapsed Inspector returned alone

" Mr Holmes is walking up and down field outside," said he " us all four house together "

"To Mr Cunningham's ? "

"Yes, sir "

"What for ? "

The Inspector shrugged his shoulders "I don't quite know, sir Between ourselves, Mr Holmes quite got over his illness yet He's been behaving very queerly, and excited "

"I don't think alarm yourself," said I " usually found that method madness "

"Some folks might say madness method," muttered the Inspector "But he's all on fire to start, Colonel, so we had best go out ready "

Holmes pacing up and down field, his chin sunk upon his breast, hands thrust into his trousers pockets

"The matter grows in interest," said he "Watson, your country-trip distinct success charming morning "

" scene crime, I understand," said the Colonel

"Yes; the Inspector and quite little reconnaissance together "

"Any success ? "

"Well, seen some very interesting things I'll tell you what walk First of all, we saw the body unfortunate man He certainly died from revolved wound as reported "

"Had you doubted it, then ? "

"Oh, to test everything Our inspection was not wasted We then had an interview with Mr Cunningham son, who were able to point out the exact spot where the murderer had broken garden-hedge flight That was of great interest "

"Naturally "

"Then we had look poor fellow's mother get no information from her, however, as very old and feeble "

"And the result of your investigations ? "

"The conviction crime is very peculiar one Perhaps our visit now may do something it less obscure that both agreed, Inspector fragment of paper dead man's hand, bearing, as it does, the very hour death written upon it, is of extreme importance "

"It should give clue, Mr Holmes "

"It does give clue Whoever wrote that note man who brought William Kirwan out bed hour But where rest sheet of paper ? "

"I examined the ground carefully hope of finding it," said the Inspector

" torn dead man's hand Why was some one so anxious possession of it ? Because it incriminated him And what would he do with it ? Thrust it into his pocket, most likely, never noticing that corner of it left grip corpse get the rest sheet obvious that gone long way towards solving the mystery "

"Yes, but how can we get criminal's pocket before we catch the criminal ? "

"Well, well, worth thinking over Then another obvious point The note was sent to William The man who wrote it have taken it; otherwise, , delivered his own message by word of mouth Who brought the note, then ? Or did it come post ? "

" inquiries," said the Inspector "William received letter afternoon post yesterday The envelope was destroyed by him "

"Excellent ! " cried Holmes, clapping the Inspector back "You've seen the postman pleasure to work Well, lodge, and come up, Colonel, show you the scene crime "

We passed the pretty cottage where the murdered man had lived, and walked up an oak-lined avenue fine old Queen Anne house, which bears the date of Malplaquet lintel door Holmes Inspector led us round it until we came side gate, separated by stretch of garden hedge which lines the road constable was standing kitchen door

"Throw the door open, officer," said Holmes "Now, on those stairs that young Mr Cunningham stood and saw the two men struggling just where Old Mr Cunningham was window--the second left--and the fellow get away just left bush Then Mr Alec ran out and knelt beside the wounded man The ground is very hard, , and no marks to guide us " As he spoke two men came down the garden path, from round the angle house The one was an elderly man, with strong, deep-lined, heavy-eyed face; the other dashing young fellow, whose bright, smiling expression and showy dress were in strange contract business which had brought us there

"Still at it, then ? " said he to Holmes " you Londoners were never at fault You don't so very quick, after all "

"Ah, little time," said Holmes good-houmoredly

"You'll want it," said young Alec Cunningham "Why, I don't see that any clue at all "

"There's ," answered the Inspector "We thought that only find--Good heavens, Mr Holmes ! the matter ? "

My poor friend's face had suddenly assumed the most dreadful expression His eyes rolled upwards, his features writhed in agony, and with suppressed groan he dropped face ground Horrified suddenness and severity attack, we carried him kitchen, where he lay back in large chair, and breathed heavily for some minutes Finally, with shamefaced apology weakness, he rose once more

"Watson would tell you that only just recovered from severe illness," he explained " liable sudden nervous attacks "

"Shall I home in my trap ? " asked old Cunningham