We started off cab together, leaving our informant incredulous, but obviously uncomfortable

"The blundering fool," Holmes said, bitterly, drove back to our lodgings "Just having such an incomparable bit of good luck, and not taking advantage of it "

" rather dark still true description man tallies with your idea second party mystery But why should he come back house after leaving it ? the way of criminals "

"The ring, man, the ring: that was what back for no other way of catching him, always bait our line ring him, Doctor -- I'll lay you two to one that him it all I but , and so have missed the finest study I ever came across: study in scarlet, eh ? Why shouldn't we use little art jargon There's the scarlet thread of murder running colourless skein of life, duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it And now for lunch, and then for Norman Neruda Her attack and her bowing are splendid What's that little thing of Chopin's she plays so magnificently: Tra-la-la-lira-lira-lay "

Leaning back cab, this amateur bloodhound carolled away like lark while I meditated many-sidedness human mind

CHAPTER V

OUR ADVERTISEMENT BRINGS VISITOR

OUR morning's exertions weak health, and tired out afternoon After Holmes' departure concert, I lay down sofa and endeavoured couple of hours' sleep useless attempt My mind excited by all that had occurred, strangest fancies and surmises crowded Every time that I closed my eyes before me the distorted baboon-like countenance murdered man So sinister impression which that face had produced upon me that it difficult anything but gratitude for him who had removed its owner world If ever human features bespoke vice most malignant type, they were certainly those of Enoch J Drebber, of Cleveland Still I recognized that justice , and depravity victim was no condonment {11} eyes law

The more of it the more extraordinary did my companion's hypothesis, man poisoned, appear I remembered how he had sniffed his lips, and had that he had detected something which had given rise idea Then, again, poison, what had caused the man's death, since neither wound nor marks of strangulation ? But, other hand, whose blood which lay so thickly floor ? There were no signs of struggle, nor had the victim any weapon wounded an antagonist As long as all these questions were unsolved, that sleep no easy matter, either for Holmes or myself His quiet self-confident manner convinced me that he had already formed theory which explained all the facts, though what for an instant conjecture

very late in returning -- so late, that concert have detained him all the time Dinner was table before he appeared

" magnificent," , as his seat " remember what Darwin says about music ? He claims power of producing and appreciating it existed human race long power of speech was arrived at Perhaps why so subtly influenced vague memories souls misty centuries world was in its childhood "

"That's rather broad idea," I remarked

"One's ideas as broad as Nature to interpret Nature," he answered "What's the matter ? You're not looking quite yourself This Brixton Road affair has upset you "

" the truth, it has," "I more case-hardened after my Afghan experiences my own comrades hacked to pieces at Maiwand without losing my nerve "

" understand mystery which stimulates the imagination; where no imagination no horror seen the evening paper ? "

"No "

"It gives fairly good account affair It mention the fact that man was raised up, woman's wedding ring fell floor just it "

"Why ? "

"Look advertisement," he answered "I had one sent to every paper immediately affair "

He threw the paper across and I glanced place indicated It first announcement "Found" column "In Brixton Road, ," it ran, "a plain gold wedding ring, found roadway `White Hart' Tavern and Holland Grove Apply Dr Watson, 221B, Baker Street, between eight and nine this evening "

"Excuse my using ," "If I used my own dunderheads would recognize it, and want to meddle affair "

" all right," I answered "But supposing anyone applies, no ring "

"Oh yes, ," said he, handing me one " do almost facsimile "

"And who expect will answer this advertisement "

"Why, the man brown coat -- our florid friend square toes If come himself send an accomplice "

"Would he not consider it as too dangerous ? "

"Not at all view case is correct, and every reason , this man would rather risk anything than lose the ring According to my notion he dropped it while stooping over Drebber's body, and miss it After leaving the house he discovered his loss and hurried back, but found the police already in possession, owing own folly in leaving the candle burning He had to pretend drunk to allay the suspicions which aroused by his appearance gate Now put yourself man's place On thinking the matter over, it occurred to him possible that he had lost the ring road after leaving the house What would he do, then ? eagerly look out evening papers hope of seeing it articles found His eye, , would light overjoyed Why should he fear trap ? There no reason eyes why the finding ring connected murder come come You shall see him within an hour ? "

"And then ? " I asked

"Oh, leave me to deal then any arms ? "

" my old service revolver and few cartridges "

"You had better clean it and load it desperate man, and though take him unawares, ready for anything "

I went to my bedroom and followed his advice When I returned pistol the table cleared, and Holmes was engaged favourite occupation of scraping upon his violin

"The plot thickens," , as I entered; " just had an answer to my American telegram My view case correct one "

" is ? " I asked eagerly

"My fiddle the better for new strings," he remarked "Put your pistol in your pocket fellow comes speak to him in an ordinary way Leave the rest Don't frighten him by looking at him too hard "

" eight o'clock now," , glancing at my watch