"Well, since here, one point like sure very easily verify it "

" it ? "

"Well, it seems just possible arrival poor fellow William was not before, but after, the entrance burglary house You appear it for granted that, although the door was forced, the robber never got in "

"I fancy quite obvious," said Mr Cunningham, gravely "Why, my son Alec yet gone to bed, and certainly have heard moving about "

"Where was he sitting ? "

" smoking in my dressing-room "

"Which window ? "

"The last left next my father's "

"Both of your lamps were lit, ? "

"Undoubtedly "

" some very singular points here," said Holmes, smiling " not extraordinary that burglary--and burglar who had had some previous experience--should deliberately break into house when he lights that two family were still afoot ? "

" been cool hand "

"Well, , case an odd one we driven to for an explanation," said young Mr Alec "But your ideas man had robbed the house before William tackled him, it most absurd notion Wouldn't found the place disarranged, and missed the things which he had taken ? "

"It depends on what the things were," said Holmes " remember that dealing with burglar very peculiar fellow, and who appears to work on lines own Look, for example, queer lot of things which from Acton's-- it ? --a ball of string, letter-weight, and I don't know what other odds and ends "

"Well, quite in your hands, Mr Holmes," said old Cunningham "Anything which you or the Inspector may suggest will most certainly "

" first place," said Holmes, " like you to offer reward--coming from yourself, officials may take little time would agree sum, and these things too promptly jotted down the form here, if mind signing it Fifty pound was quite enough, "

" willingly give five hundred," said the J P , taking the slip of paper pencil which Holmes handed to him " quite correct, however," he added, glancing over the document

" it rather hurriedly "

" you begin, 'Whereas, at about quarter to one on Tuesday morning an attempt ,' and so on at quarter to twelve, as matter of fact "

pained mistake, for how keenly Holmes would feel any slip kind his speciality accurate fact, but his recent illness had shaken him, and little incident was enough to show me that still far from being himself obviously embarrassed for an instant, while the Inspector raised his eyebrows, and Alec Cunningham burst into laugh The old gentleman corrected the mistake, however, and handed the paper back to Holmes

"Get it printed ," ; " your idea is an excellent one "

Holmes put the slip of paper carefully away into his pocket-book

"And now," said he, "it really good thing that all go over the house together and make certain rather erratic burglar , after all, carry anything away "

Before entering, Holmes made an examination door which forced evident that chisel or strong knife thrust in, lock forced back with it We the marks wood where it pushed in

"You don't use bars, then ? " he asked

" never found it necessary "

"You don't keep dog ? "

"Yes, but chained other side house "

"When servants go to bed ? "

"About ten "

"I understand that William was usually in bed also hour "

"Yes "

" singular that particular night he up Now, the kindness to show us over the house, Mr Cunningham "

stone-flagged passage, kitchens branching away , led by wooden staircase directly first floor house It came out landing opposite to second more ornamental stair which came up front hall Out landing opened the drawing-room and several bedrooms, including those of Mr Cunningham son Holmes walked slowly, taking keen note architecture house tell expression that on hot scent, and yet least imagine in what direction his inferences were leading him

"My good sir," said Mr Cunningham with some impatience, " surely very unnecessary my room end stairs, and my son's one beyond it I leave it to your judgement whether possible thief come up here without disturbing us "

" try round and get on fresh scent, I fancy," said the son with rather malicious smile

"Still, to humour me little further like, for example, how far the windows bedrooms command the front This, I understand is your son's room"--he pushed open the door--" , I presume, dressing-room he sat smoking alarm was given Where does the window look out to ? " He stepped across the bedroom, pushed open the door, and glanced round the other chamber

" satisfied now ? " said Mr Cunningham, tartly

" , all that I wished "

"Then really necessary go into my room "

"If trouble "

The J P shrugged his shoulders, and led the way into his own chamber, plainly furnished and commonplace room moved across it direction window, Holmes fell back until he and I were the last group Near the foot bed stood dish of oranges and carafe of water passed it Holmes, to my unutterable astonishment, leaned over in front of me and deliberately knocked the whole thing over The glass smashed into thousand pieces fruit rolled about into every corner room

"You've done it now, Watson," said he, coolly "A pretty mess you've made carpet "

I stooped in some confusion and began to pick up the fruit, understanding for some reason my companion desired me to blame upon myself The others did the same, and set the table on its legs again

"Hullo ! " cried the Inspector, "where's he got to ? "

Holmes had disappeared

"Wait here an instant," said young Alec Cunningham "The fellow is off his head, in my opinion Come with me, father, where he has got to ! "

They rushed room, leaving the Inspector, the Colonel, and me staring at

"'Pon my word, inclined to agree with Master Alec," said the official "It the effect illness, but it seems that--"

His words were cut short by sudden scream of "Help ! Help ! Murder ! " With thrill I recognised the voice friend I rushed madly room on landing The cries, which had sunk down into hoarse, inarticulate shouting, came room which we had first visited I dashed in, and on dressing-room beyond The two Cunninghams were bending over the prostrate figure of Sherlock Holmes, the younger clutching his throat with both hands, while the elder seemed twisting one wrists In an instant the three of us had torn them away , and Holmes staggered feet, very pale and evidently greatly exhausted

"Arrest these men, Inspector," he gasped

"On what charge ? "

"That of murdering their coachman, William Kirwan "

The Inspector stared about him in bewilderment "Oh, come now, Mr Holmes," said he at last, "I'm sure you don't really mean to--"

"Tut, man, look at their faces ! " cried Holmes, curtly