"No; we don't keep cat But cheetah and baboon "

"Ah, yes, ! Well, cheetah is just big cat, and yet saucer of milk go very far in satisfying its wants, I daresay one point which wish to determine " He squatted down in front wooden chair and examined the seat of it greatest attention

" quite settled," said he, rising and putting his lens pocket "Hello ! something interesting ! "

The object which had caught his eye was small dog lash hung on one corner bed The lash, however, was curled upon itself and tied so as loop of whipcord

"What make , Watson ? "

"It's common enough lash But I don't know why if tied "

" quite so common, ? Ah, me ! it's wicked world, and when clever man turns his brains to crime worst of all that enough now, Miss Stoner, and with your permission walk out lawn "

I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as when we turned scene investigation We had walked up and down the lawn, neither Miss Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he roused himself reverie

" very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that absolutely follow my advice in every respect "

" most certainly "

"The matter is too serious for any hesitation Your life may depend upon your compliance "

"I assure you that in your hands "

" first place, both my friend and spend the night in your room "

Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment

"Yes, it so Let me explain I believe that village inn over there ? "

"Yes, Crown "

" Your windows visible from there ? "

"Certainly "

" confine yourself to your room, on pretence of headache, when your stepfather comes back Then hear him retire night, open the shutters of your window, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as signal , and then withdraw quietly with everything which likely to want room which you used to occupy that, repairs, manage there night "

"Oh, yes, easily "

"The rest leave hands "

"But ? "

" spend the night in your room, and investi- gate the cause noise disturbed you "

"I believe, Mr Holmes, that already made up your mind," said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve

"Perhaps "

"Then, for pity's sake, tell me the cause sister's death "

" prefer clearer proofs before I speak "

" tell me whether my own thought is correct, and if she died from some sudden fright "

"No, so that probably some more tangible cause And now, Miss Stoner, leave you for if Dr Roylott returned and saw us our journey in vain Good-bye, and be brave, for do what told you rest assured that soon drive away the dangers that threaten you "

Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging bed- room and sitting-room Crown Inn They were upper floor, and window command view avenue gate, and inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House At dusk we saw Dr Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the little figure lad who drove him The boy had some slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the hoarse roar doctor's voice and saw the fury he shook his clinched fists at him The trap drove on, and later we saw sudden light spring up trees lamp was lit in sitting-rooms

" , Watson," said Holmes sat together gathering darkness, " really some scruples taking you to-night distinct element of danger "

"Can I be of assistance ? "

"Your presence invaluable "

"Then certainly come "

" very kind of you "

"You speak of danger evidently seen more rooms than was visible "

"No, but I fancy that deduced little more I imagine that you saw all that "

" nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that could answer I confess is more than imagine "

"You saw the ventilator, too ? "

"Yes, but such very unusual thing small opening between two rooms so small that rat could hardly pass through "

" that find ventilator before ever we came to Stoke Moran "

"My dear Holmes ! "

"Oh, yes, You remember in her statement she said that her sister could smell Dr Roylott's cigar Now, that suggested at once that communication two rooms It could only be small one, or it remarked upon coroner's inquiry I deduced ventilator "

"But what harm can there be ? "

"Well, curious coincidence of dates ventilator is made, cord is hung, and lady who sleeps bed dies that strike you ? "

" see any connection "

"Did you observe anything very peculiar bed ? "

"No "

" clamped floor Did you ever see bed fastened like that before ? "

"I that "

"The lady move her bed It must always be same relative position ventilator and rope -- or so call it, since clearly never meant for bell-pull "

"Holmes," I cried, "I seem dimly what hinting at only just some subtle and horrible crime "

"Subtle enough and horrible enough When doctor does go wrong he first of criminals He has nerve and he has knowledge Palmer and Pritchard were heads profession This man strikes even deeper, but , Watson, that to strike deeper still But horrors enough night is over; for goodness' sake quiet pipe and turn our minds for few hours to some- thing more cheerful "

* * *

About nine o'clock the light trees was extinguished, and all was dark direction Manor House Two hours passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just stroke of eleven, single bright light shone out right in front of us

" our signal," said Holmes, springing feet; "it comes middle window "

passed out he exchanged few words land- lord, explaining that we were going on late visit to an acquaint- ance, and possible that spend the night there moment later we were out dark road, chill wind blowing faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us gloom to guide us sombre errand

little difficulty in entering the grounds, for unre- paired breaches gaped old park wall Making our way trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to enter window when out from clump of laurel bushes there darted what seemed hideous and distorted child, who threw itself grass with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly across the lawn darkness Josef Friedrich, 1906

"My God ! " I whispered; "did it ? "

Holmes was moment as startled as I His hand closed like vise upon my wrist agitation Then he broke into low laugh and put his lips to my ear

" nice household," he murmured " baboon "