" dog-fancier myself," said Holmes "Now, fair question, what would prize dog like that cost ? "

"More than pay, sir Sir Robert himself who That's why it on lead It off Hall in jiffy if it its head "

" getting some cards hand, Watson," said Holmes landlord had left us "It's not an easy one to play, but see our way in , Sir Robert is still in London, I hear , perhaps, enter the sacred domain to-night without fear of bodily assault points like reassurance "

" any theory, Holmes ? "

"Only this, Watson, that something happened week or so ago cut deep life Shoscombe household What something ? only guess at it from its effects They of curiously mixed character But that should surely only the colourless, uneventful case hopeless

" consider our data The brother no longer visits the beloved invalid sister away her favourite dog Her dog, Watson ! Does that suggest nothing ? "

"Nothing but the brother's spite "

"Well, it so Or -- well, an alternative Now our review situation time quarrel, quarrel, began The lady keeps her room, alters her habits, seen save when she drives out with her maid, refuses to stop stables to greet her favourite horse and apparently takes to drink That covers the case, does it not ? "

"Save business crypt "

" another line of thought two, and I beg tangle them Line A, which concerns Lady Beatrice, has vaguely sinister flavour, has it not ? "

" make nothing of it "

"Well, now, take up line B, which concerns Sir Robert mad keen upon winning the Derby hands Jews, and may at any moment be sold up racing stables seized by his creditors daring and desperate man He derives his income sister His sister's maid is his willing tool we on fairly safe ground, do we not ? "

"But the crypt ? "

"Ah, yes, the crypt ! suppose, Watson -- merely scandalous supposition, hypothesis put forward for argument's sake -- that Sir Robert away sister "

"My dear Holmes, "

"Very possibly, Watson Sir Robert is man of an honourable stock But occasionally find carrion crow eagles for moment argue supposition fly the country until he had realized his fortune, fortune could only be realized by bringing off this coup with Shoscombe Prince Therefore, he has still to stand his ground To to dispose body victim, and also have substitute impersonate her maid as his confidante that impossible The woman's body conveyed crypt, place so seldom visited, and it secretly destroyed at night furnace, leaving behind it such evidence as already seen What say you , Watson ? "

"Wel], all possible grant the original monstrous supposition "

" small experiment which try to-morrow, Watson, to throw some light matter Meanwhile, mean up our characters, I our host in for glass own wine and hold some high converse upon eels and dace, which the straight road affections chance upon some useful local gossip process "

morning Holmes discovered that we had come without our spoon-bait for jack, which absolved us from fishing day About eleven o'clock we started for walk, and he obtained leave to black spaniel

" place," said he came to two high park gates with heraldic griffins towering above them "About midday, Mr Barnes informs me, the old lady takes drive, carriage must slow down while the gates are opened When it comes through, and before it gathers speed, you, Watson, to stop the coachman with some question Never mind me stand behind this holly-bush what "

not long vigil Within quarter of an hour we saw the big open yellow barouche coming down the long avenue, with two splendid, high-stepping gray carriage horses shafts Holmes crouched behind his bush dog I stood unconcemedly swinging cane roadway keeper ran out gates swung open

The carriage had slowed to walk, and able good look occupants highly coloured young woman with flaxen hair and impudent eyes sat left At her right was an elderly person with rounded back and huddle of shawls about her face and shoulders which proclaimed the invalid horses reached the highroad I held up my hand with an authoritative gesture, and coachman pulled up I inquired if Sir Robert was at Shoscombe Old Place

same moment Holmes stepped out and released the spaniel With joyous cry it dashed forward carriage and sprang step Then in moment its eager greeting changed to furious rage, and it snapped black skirt above it

"Drive on ! Drive on ! " shrieked harsh voice The coachman lashed the horses, and we were left standing roadway

"Well, Watson, that's done it," said Holmes as he fastened the lead neck excited spaniel "He thought his mistress, and stranger Dogs don't make mistakes "

"But it voice of man ! " I cried

"Exactly ! added one card to our hand, Watson, but it needs careful playing, all the same "

My companion seemed no further plans day, and actually use our fishing tackle mill-stream result that we had dish of trout supper only meal that Holmes showed signs of renewed activity Once more ourselves same road as morning, which led us park gates tall, dark figure was awaiting us there, who proved our London acquaintance, Mr John Mason, the trainer

"Good-evening, gentlemen," said he "I got your note, Mr Holmes Sir Robert returned yet, but I hear that expected to-night "

"How far crypt house ? " asked Holmes

"A good quarter of mile "

"Then disregard him altogether "

" 't afford to , Mr Holmes The moment he arrives me the last news of Shoscombe Prince "

" ! case work without you, Mr Mason show us the crypt and then leave us "

pitch-dark and without moon, but Mason led us over the grass-lands until dark mass loomed up in front of us which proved the ancient chapel We entered the broken gap once the porch, guide, stumbling among heaps of loose masonry, picked his way corner building, where steep stair led down crypt Striking match, he illuminated the melancholy place -- dismal and evil-smelling, with ancient crumbling walls of rough-hewn stone, and piles of coffins, some of lead and some of stone, extending upon one side right arched and groined roof which lost itself shadows above our heads Holmes had lit his lantern, which shot tiny tunnel of vivid yellow light mournful scene Its rays were reflected back coffin-plates, adorned griffin and coronet old family which carried its honours even gate of Death

"You spoke of some bones, Mr Mason Could you show them go ? "

" here corner " The trainer strode across and then stood in silent surprise as our light was turned place " gone," said he