"You wisely," said my friend "But told me all ? "

"Yes, all "

"Miss Roylott, screening your stepfather "

"Why, what ? "

For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee Five little livid spots, the marks of four fingers and thumb, were printed white wrist

" cruelly used," said Holmes

The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist " hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own strength "

long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin upon his hands and stared crackling fire

" very deep business," at last " thousand details which desire before I decide upon our course of action Yet moment to lose were to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible over these rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather ? "

"As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some most important business probable that away all day, there nothing to disturb you housekeeper now, but old and foolish, and easily get her way "

"Excellent averse trip, Watson ? "

"By no means "

"Then both come you going yourself ? "

" things which wish now that in town But return twelve o'clock train, so be there for your coming "

"And expect us early afternoon myself some small business matters to attend to not wait and breakfast ? "

"No, go My heart is lightened already since confided my trouble look forward to seeing you again this afternoon " She dropped her thick black veil over her face and glided room

"And what of it all, Watson ? " asked Sherlock Holmes, leaning back chair

"It seems most dark and sinister business "

"Dark enough and sinister enough "

"Yet lady is correct in saying flooring and walls are sound, and door, window, and chimney are impass- able, then her sister must undoubtedly alone when she met her mysterious end "

"What becomes, then, nocturnal whistles, and what very peculiar words dying woman ? "

" think "

" combine the ideas of whistles at night, the pres- ence of band of gypsies on intimate terms old doctor, the fact that every reason doctor has an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying allusion to band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner heard metallic clang, which caused by one metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its place, good ground mystery cleared along those lines "

"But what, then, did the gypsies do ? "

" imagine "

" many objections to any such theory "

"And so do I precisely reason that going to Stoke Moran this day whether the objections are fatal, or be explained away But what name devil ! "

The ejaculation drawn from my companion fact door suddenly dashed open, huge man had framed himself aperture His costume was peculiar mixture professional and agricultural, having black top-hat, long frock-coat, and pair of high gaiters, with hunting-crop swinging hand So tall was he that his hat actually brushed the cross bar - doorway, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side large face, seared with thousand wrinkles, burned yellow sun, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one other of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, high, thin, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to fierce old bird of prey

"Which of you is Holmes ? " asked this apparition

"My name, sir; but the advantage of me," said my companion quietly

" Dr Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran "

"Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly "Pray take seat "

" do nothing kind My stepdaughter here traced her What has she been saying ? "

" little cold year," said Holmes

"What has she been saying ? " screamed the old man furiously

"But heard crocuses promise well," continued my companion imperturbably

"Ha ! You put me off, ? " said our new visitor, taking step forward and shaking his hunting-crop " you, you scoundrel ! heard of you before Holmes, the meddler "

My friend smiled

"Holmes, the busybody ! "

His smile broadened

"Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office ! "

Holmes chuckled heartily "Your conversation is most enter- taining," said he " go out close the door, for decided draught "

" go when said my say Don't you dare to meddle with my affairs that Miss Stoner here I traced her ! dangerous man foul of ! See here " He stepped swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into curve huge brown hands

"See that you keep yourself out grip," he snarled, and hurling the twisted poker fireplace he strode room

"He seems very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing " not quite so bulky, but if he had remained shown him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own " As he spoke he picked up the steel poker and, with sudden effort, straightened it out again

"Fancy his having the insolence to confound me official detective force ! This incident gives zest to our investiga- tion, however, and I only trust little friend will not suffer from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her And now, Watson, order breakfast, and afterwards walk down to Doctors' Commons, where some data "

nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned excursion He held hand sheet of blue paper, scrawled over with notes and figures