"And now to consider the motive singular crime , I endeavoured first of all to solve the reason original burglary at Mr Acton's I understood, from something which the Colonel told us, that lawsuit going on between you, Mr Acton, Cunninghams , it instantly occurred had broken into your library intention of getting at some document which of importance case "

"Precisely so," said Mr Acton "There no possible doubt as intentions the clearest claim upon half present estate, and if have found single paper--which, fortunately, was strong-box solicitors-- undoubtedly have crippled our case "

"There ," said Holmes, smiling " dangerous, reckless attempt, I seem to trace the influence of young Alec Having found nothing they tried to divert suspicion by making it appear an ordinary burglary, end they carried off whatever lay their hands upon all clear enough, but much that was still obscure What above all was the missing part note certain that Alec had torn it dead man's hand, and almost certain that thrust it pocket dressing-gown Where else could he have put it ? The only question was whether still there worth an effort out, and object we all went house

"The Cunninghams joined us, doubtless remember, outside the kitchen door , , very first importance reminded existence paper, otherwise naturally destroy it without delay The Inspector was about them the importance which we attached when, luckiest chance , I tumbled down in sort of fit and so changed the conversation

"Good heavens ! " cried the Colonel, laughing, " all our sympathy was wasted and your fit an imposture ? "

"Speaking professionally, admirably done," cried I, looking in amazement man who was forever confounding me with some new phase astuteness

" an art often useful," said he "When I recovered I managed, by device which had perhaps some little merit of ingenuity, old Cunningham to write the word 'twelve,' compare it 'twelve' paper "

"Oh, what an ass ! " I exclaimed

"I that you were commiserating me over my weakness," said Holmes, laughing " sorry to cause you the sympathetic pain which that you felt We then went upstairs together, and having entered the room and seen the dressing-gown hanging up behind the door, I contrived, by upsetting table, to engage their attention moment, and slipped back to examine the pockets I had hardly got the paper, however-- , as I had expected, in -- two Cunninghams were on me, and would, I verily believe, have murdered me then and there but for your prompt and friendly aid , that young man's grip on my throat now, father has twisted my wrist round effort the paper out hand They saw that know all , , sudden change from absolute security to complete despair made them perfectly desperate

"I had little talk with old Cunningham afterwards motive crime tractable enough, though his son was perfect demon, ready to blow out his own or anybody else's brains if he got revolver When Cunningham saw case against him was so strong all heart and made clean breast of everything It seems that William had secretly followed his two masters night made their raid upon Mr Acton's, and having thus got them into his power, proceeded, under threats of exposure, to levy black-mail upon them Mr Alec, however, was dangerous man to play games sort with stroke of positive genius part burglary scare convulsing the country side an opportunity of plausibly getting rid man whom he feared William was decoyed up and shot, and had they only got the whole note and paid little more attention to detail accessories, very possible that suspicion might never aroused "

" note ? " I asked

Sherlock Holmes placed the subjoined paper

only come around east gate surprise you and be greatest service and also to Annie Morrison But say nothing to anyone matter

" the sort of thing that I expected," said he " , yet know what the relations may between Alec Cunningham, William Kirwan, and Annie Morrison The results shows trap was skilfully baited that fail delighted traces of heredity shown p's and tails g's The absence i-dots old man's writing is also most characteristic Watson, our quiet rest country distinct success, and certainly return much invigorated to Baker Street to-morrow "