"But why would anyone want to burn the bones of man who dead thousand years ? " asked John Mason

" what here out," said Holmes "It may mean long search, and not detain you I fancy that get our solution before morning "

When John Mason had left us, Holmes set to work making very careful examination graves, ranging from very ancient one, which appeared Saxon, centre, through long line of Norman Hugos and Odos, until we reached the Sir William and Sir Denis Falder eighteenth century an hour or more before Holmes came to leaden coffin standing on end entrance vault I heard his little cry of satisfaction and was aware hurried but purposeful movements that he had reached goal lens eagerly examining the edges heavy lid Then he drew pocket short jemmy, box-opener, which he thrust into chink, levering back the whole front, which seemed secured by only couple of clamps rending, tearing sound as it gave way, but it had hardly hinged back and partly revealed the contents before we had an unforeseen interruption

Someone was walking chapel above It firm, rapid step of one who came with definite purpose and knew well the ground he walked light streamed down the stairs, and an instant later the man who bore framed Gothic archway terrible figure, huge in stature and fierce in manner large stable-lantern which he held in front of him shone upward upon strong, heavily moustached face and angry eyes, which glared round him into every recess vault, finally fixing themselves with deadly stare upon my companion and myself

"Who the devil ? " he thundered "And you doing upon my property ? " Then, as Holmes returned no answer couple of steps forward and raised heavy stick which he carried " hear me ? " he cried "Who ? you doing here ? " His cudgel quivered air

But instead of shrinking Holmes advanced to meet him

"I also have question to , Sir Robert," sternest tone "Who ? And it doing here ? "

He turned and tore open the coffin-lid behind him glare lantern body swathed in sheet from head to foot with dreadful, witch-like features, all nose and chin, projecting at one end, the dim, glazed eyes staring from discoloured and crumbling face

The baronet had staggered back with cry and supported himself against stone sarcophagus

"How came you ? " he cried And then, with some return truculent manner: "What business of yours ? "

"My name is Sherlock Holmes," said my companion "Possibly familiar In any case, my business of good citizen -- to uphold the law It seems that much to answer for "

Sir Robert glared for moment, but Holmes's quiet voice and cool, assured manner had their effect

" 'Fore God, Mr Holmes, it's all right," said he "Appearances are against me, I'll admit, but act no otherwise "

" happy so, but your explanations police "

Sir Robert shrugged his broad shoulders

"Well, , it must Come house and judge how the matter stands "

quarter of an hour later ourselves in what I judge, lines of polished barrels behind glass covers, the gun-room old house comfortably furnished, and here Sir Robert left us for When he returned he had two companions ; the one, the florid young woman whom we had seen carriage; the other, small rat-faced man with disagreeably furtive manner These two wore an appearance of utter bewilderment, which showed baronet yet had time to explain the turn events had taken

"There," said Sir Robert with wave hand, "are Mr and Mrs Norlett Mrs Norlett, under her maiden name of Evans, has been my sister's confidential maid brought them here because that my best course is to explain the true position , and the two people upon earth substantiate what "

" necessary, Sir Robert ? thought what doing ? " cried the woman

" me, I entirely disclaim all responsibility," said her husband

Sir Robert gave him glance of contempt " take all responsibility," said he "Now, Mr Holmes, listen to plain statement facts

" clearly gone pretty deeply into my affairs or I have found you where Therefore, already, in all probability, that running dark horse Derby everything depends upon my success If I win, all is easy If I lose -- well, I dare not think ! "

"I understand the position," said Holmes

" dependent upon my sister, Lady Beatrice, for everything But well known that her interest estate is for her own life only , deeply hands Jews always known that sister were to die my creditors on to my estate like flock of vultures Everything seized -- my stables, my horses -- everything Well, Mr Holmes, my sister did die just week ago "

"And you told no one ! "

"What could ? Absolute ruin faced me If stave things off for three weeks all well Her maid's husband -- this man here -- is an actor It came into our heads -- it came into my head -- that short period personate my sister but case of appearing daily carriage, for no one need enter her room save the maid not difficult to arrange My sister died dropsy which had long afflicted her "

" for coroner to decide "

"Her doctor would certify that for months her symptoms have threatened such an end "

"Well, what did ? "

"The body remain there first night Norlett and I carried it out old well-house, now never used We were followed, however, by her pet spaniel, which yapped continually door, so some safer place was needed I got rid spaniel, and we carried the body crypt church no indignity or irreverence, Mr Holmes feel that wronged the dead "

"Your conduct seems inexcusable, Sir Robert "

The baronet shook his head impatiently " easy to preach," said he "Perhaps felt differently in my position One all one's hopes and all one's plans shattered last moment and make no effort to save them It seemed no unworthy resting-place put her in coffins of her husband's ancestors lying in still consecrated ground We opened such coffin, removed the contents, and placed her seen her old relics which we took out, leave them floor crypt Norlett and I removed them, and he descended at night and burned them central furnace my story, Mr Holmes, though how you forced my hand more than "

Holmes sat for lost in thought

" one flaw in your narrative, Sir Robert," at last "Your bets race, and therefore your hopes future, would hold good even if your creditors seized your estate "

"The horse part estate What do they care bets ? As likely as not not run him at all My chief creditor is, unhappily, my most bitter enemy -- rascally fellow, Sam Brewer, whom once compelled to horsewhip on Newmarket Heath suppose that try to save me ? "

"Well, Sir Robert," said Holmes, rising, " must, , be referred police my duty to bring the facts to light, and there leave it morality or decency of your conduct, to express an opinion nearly midnight, Watson, and make our way back to our humble abode "

generally known now singular episode ended upon happier note than Sir Robert's actions deserved Shoscombe Prince did win the Derby, the sporting owner did net eighty thousand pounds in bets, creditors did hold their hand until the race was over, were paid in full, and enough was left to reestablish Sir Robert in fair position in life Both police and coroner took lenient view transaction, and beyond mild censure delay in registering the lady's decease, the lucky owner got away scatheless strange incident in career now outlived its shadows and promises to end in an honoured old age