At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching train for Leatherhead, where we hired trap station inn and drove for four or five miles lovely Surrey laries perfect day, with bright sun and few fleecy clouds heavens The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out their first green shoots, air was full pleasant smell moist earth strange contrast sweet promise spring and this sinister quest we were engaged My companion sat front trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over his eyes, chin sunk upon his breast, buried deepest thought Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me shoulder, and pointed over the meadows

"Look there ! " said he

heavily timbered park stretched up in gentle slope, thick- ening mto grove highest point From amid the branches there jutted out the gray gables and high roof-tree of very old mansion

"Stoke Moran ? " said he

"Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr Grimesby Roylott," remarked the driver

" some building going on there," said Holmes; " where going "

"There's the village," said the driver, pointing to cluster of roofs some distance left; "but house, you'll find it shorter over this stile, and so foot-path over the fields There , where the lady is walking "

" lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his eyes "Yes, we had better do suggest "

We got off, paid our fare, trap rattled back on its way to Leatherhead

" it ," said Holmes climbed the stile, " fellow should think we had come here as architects, or on some definite business It may stop his gossip Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner that as good as our word "

Our client morning had hurried forward to meet us with face which spoke her joy " waiting so eagerly ," she cried, shaking hands warmly "All has turned out splendidly Dr Roylott has gone to town, and unlikely that back before evening "

" the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaint- ance," said Holmes, and in few words he sketched out what had occurred Miss Stoner turned white lips as she listened

"Good heavens ! " she cried, "he has followed me, then "

"So it appears "

" so cunning that I never know when safe he say when he returns ? "

" guard himself, for find some- one more cunning than himself upon his track lock yourself up to-night If violent, take you away to your aunt's at Harrow Now, best use time, so kindly take us at once rooms to examine " Josef Friedrich, 1906

The building was of gray, lichen-blotched stone, with high central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of crab, thrown out on each side In wings the windows were broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly caved in, picture of ruin The central portion was in little better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, blinds windows, blue smoke curling up chimneys, showed was where the family resided Some scaffolding erected against the end wall, stone-work broken into, but there were no signs of any workmen moment visit Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the outsides windows

"This, I take it, belongs room used to sleep, the centre one to your sister's, one next main building to Dr Roylott's chamber ? "

"Exactly so But now sleeping middle one "

"Pending the alterations, as I understand , there any very pressing need for repairs end wall "

"There were none I believe an excuse to move me from my room "

"Ah ! suggestive Now, other side narrow wing runs the corridor these three rooms open windows , ? " "Yes, but ones Too narrow for anyone through "

" both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unapproachable side Now, would the kind- ness into your room and bar your shutters ? "

Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after careful examination open window, endeavoured in every way to force the shutter open, but without success no slit through which knife passed to raise the bar Then lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built firmly massive masonry "Hum ! " said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some difficulties No one could pass these shutters were bolted Well, see inside throws any light matter "

small slde door led whitewashed corridor the three bedrooms opened Holmes refused to examine the third chamber, so we passed at once second, that Miss Stoner was now sleeping, and her sister had met with her fate homely little room, with low ceiling and gaping fireplace, fashion of old country-houses brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, narrow white- counterpaned bed in another, and dressing-table left-hand side window These articles, with two small wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture room save for square of Wilton carpet centre The boards round panelling walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and discoloured dated original building house Holmes drew chairs into corner and sat sllent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, taking in every detail apartment

"Where does that bell communicate with ? " he asked at last pointing to thick belt-rope which hung down beside the bed, the tassel actually lying pi]low

"It goes housekeeper's room "

"It looks newer other things ? "

"Yes, only put there couple of "

"Your sister asked , I suppose ? "

"No, I never heard of her using it We used always what we wanted for ourselves "

"Indeed, it seemed unnecessary so nice bell-pull there excuse me while I satisfy myself floor " He threw himself down upon his face lens hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining minutely the cracks boards Then he dld the same wood-work the chamber was panelled Finally he walked over bed and spent in staring at it and in running his eye up and down the wall Finally the bell-rope hand and gave it brisk tug

"Why, it's dummy," said he

"Won't it ring ? "

"No, even attached to wire very interesting You now fastened to hook just above where the little opening ventilator is "

"How very absurd ! I never noticed that before "

"Very strange ! " muttered Holmes, pulling rope " very singular points room For exam- ple, what fool builder to open ventilator into another room, when, same trouble, communicated outside air ! "

" also quite modern," said the lady

"Done same time bell-rope ? " remarked Holmes

"Yes, there were severa} little changes carried out "

"They seem of most interesting character -- dummy bell-ropes, and ventilators which ventilate With your permission, Miss Stoner, now carry our researches inner apartment "

Dr Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that stepdaughter, but was as plainly furnished camp-bed, small wooden shelf full of books, mostly of technical character an armchair beside the bed, plain wooden chair against the wail, round table, and large iron safe were the principal things which met the eye Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and all keenest interest

"What's in here ? " he asked, tapping the safe

"My stepfather's business papers "

"Oh ! seen inside, then ? "

"Only once, I remember full of papers "

"There isn't cat , for example ? "

"No What strange idea ! "