"But told us nothing ! " cried the doctor

"Oh, there sequence of events," said Holmes "There were three : the young man, the old man, and third, to whose identity no clue The first two, hardly remark, are the same who masqueraded Russian count son, so give very full description They were admitted by confederate inside the house If offer you word of advice, Inspector, it to arrest the page, who, as I understand, has only recently come into your service, Doctor "

"The young imp found," said Dr Trevelyan; "the maid cook have just been searching for him "

Holmes shrugged his shoulders

"He has played not unimportant part drama," said he "The three men having ascended the stairs, which on tiptoe, the elder man first, the younger man second, unknown man rear--"

"My dear Holmes ! " I ejaculated

"Oh, there no question superimposing footmarks I had the advantage of learning which last night They ascended, then, to Mr Blessington's room, the door they found locked help of wire, however, they forced round the key Even without the lens perceive, scratches ward, where the pressure was applied

"On entering the room their first proceeding must to gag Mr Blessington been asleep, or been so paralysed with terror as unable to cry out These walls are thick, and conceivable that his shriek, if he had time to utter one, was unheard

"Having secured him, evident that consultation of some sort was held Probably something nature of judicial proceeding It lasted for , for then cigars were smoke The older man sat wicker chair; he who used the cigar-holder The younger man sat over yonder; he knocked his ash off against the chest of drawers The third fellow paced up and down Blessington, , sat upright bed, but absolutely certain

"Well, it ended by their taking Blessington and hanging him The matter was so prearranged my belief brought some sort of block or pulley which might serve as gallows That screw-driver and those screws were, as I conceive, for fixing it up Seeing the hook, however they naturally saved themselves the trouble Having finished their work they made off, door was barred behind them by their confederate "

We had all listened deepest interest sketch night's doings, which Holmes had deduced from signs so subtle and minute that, even when he had pointed them out , scarcely follow him reasoning The inspector hurried away instant inquiries page, while Holmes and I returned to Baker Street for breakfast

"I'll be back by three," said he, when we had finished our meal "Both the inspector doctor will meet me here hour, and cleared up any little obscurity which the case may still present "

Our visitors arrived appointed time, but quarter to four before my friend put in an appearance expression as he entered, however, I that all had gone well

"Any news, Inspector ? "

" got the boy, sir "

"Excellent, and got the men "

" got them ! " we cried, all three

"Well, got their identity This so-called Blessington is, as I expected, well known at headquarters, and so are his assailants Their names are Biddle, Hayward, and Moffat "

"The Worthingdon bank gang," cried the inspector

"Precisely," said Holmes

"Then Blessington must Sutton "

"Exactly," said Holmes

"Why, that makes it as clear as crystal," said the inspector

But Trevelyan and I looked at in bewilderment

" surely remember the great Worthingdon bank business," said Holmes "Five men were --these four and fifth called Cartwright Tobin, the care-taker, was murdered, thieves got away with seven thousand pounds in 1875 They were all five arrested, but the evidence against them was by no means conclusive This Blessington or Sutton, who worst gang, turned informer evidence Cartwright was hanged other three got fifteen years apiece got out the other day, before their full term, they set themselves, perceive, to hunt down the traitor and to avenge the death comrade upon him Twice they tried at him and failed; third time, , it came off anything further which explain, Dr Trevelyan ? "

" you it all remarkable clear," said the doctor " the day perturbed day when he had seen release newspapers "

"Quite so His talk about burglary merest blind "

"But why could he not tell you this ? "

"Well, my , knowing the vindictive character old associates, trying to hide his own identity from everybody as long as His secret was shameful one, and bring himself to divulge it However, wretch as , still living under the shield of British law, and , Inspector, that that, though that shield may fail to guard, the sword of justice is still there to avenge "

Such were the singular circumstances in connection Resident Patient Brook Street Doctor night nothing seen three murderers police, and surmised at Scotland Yard were passengers ill-fated steamer Norah Creina, lost with all hands Portuguese coast, some leagues north of Oporto The proceedings against the page broke down for want of evidence, Brook Street Mystery, as called, has never until now been fully dealt with in any public print