As he spoke he turned the contents wine glass into saucer and placed it in front terrier, who speedily licked it dry Sherlock Holmes' earnest demeanour had convinced us that we all sat in silence, watching the animal intently, and expecting some startling effect None such appeared, however The dog continued to lie stretched upon tho {16} cushion, breathing in laboured way, but apparently neither the better nor the worse for its draught

Holmes had taken out his watch, and as minute followed minute without result, an expression utmost chagrin and disappointment appeared upon his features He gnawed his lip, drummed his fingers table, and showed symptom of acute impatience So great was his emotion, that sincerely sorry for him, while the two detectives smiled derisively, by no means displeased check which he had met

"It can't be coincidence," he cried, at last springing chair and pacing wildly up and down the room; " impossible mere coincidence The very pills which I suspected case of Drebber are actually found death of Stangerson And yet inert What can it mean ? Surely my whole chain of reasoning been false impossible ! And yet this wretched dog is none the worse Ah, it ! it ! " With perfect shriek of delight he rushed box, cut the other pill in two, dissolved it, added milk, and presented it terrier The unfortunate creature's tongue seemed hardly moistened before it gave convulsive shiver in every limb, and lay as rigid and lifeless it struck by lightning

Sherlock Holmes drew long breath, and wiped the perspiration forehead " more faith," ; "I ought that when fact appears opposed to long train of deductions, it invariably proves capable of bearing some other interpretation two pills box one was most deadly poison, other was entirely harmless I known that before ever the box at all "

This last statement appeared so startling, that hardly believe that sober senses the dead dog, however, that his conjecture correct It seemed mists in my own mind were gradually clearing away, and I began dim, vague perception truth

"All this seems strange ," continued Holmes, "because you failed beginning inquiry to grasp the importance single real clue presented I had the good fortune to seize upon that, and everything occurred since then has served to confirm my original supposition, and, indeed, logical sequence of it Hence things perplexed you and made the case more obscure, have served to enlighten me and to strengthen my conclusions mistake to confound strangeness with mystery The most commonplace crime is often the most mysterious because it presents no new or special features deductions drawn This murder infinitely more difficult to unravel had the body victim been simply found lying roadway without any outre {17} and sensational accompaniments rendered it remarkable These strange details, far from making the case more difficult, have really had the effect of making it less so "

Mr Gregson, who had listened address with considerable impatience, could contain himself no longer "Look here, Mr Sherlock Holmes," , " all ready to acknowledge that smart man, your own methods of working something more than mere theory and preaching now, though case of taking the man my case out, and it seems wrong Young Charpentier engaged second affair Lestrade went after his man, Stangerson, and it appears that wrong too thrown out hints here, and hints there, and seem more than , but the time when that right to straight know business name the man who did it ? "

" help feeling that Gregson is right, sir," remarked Lestrade " both tried, and both failed remarked more than once since room that you had all the evidence which you require Surely withhold it any longer "

"Any delay in arresting the assassin," I observed, "might give him time to perpetrate some fresh atrocity "

Thus pressed all, Holmes showed signs of irresolution He continued to walk up and down the room head sunk chest brows drawn down, as was his habit when lost in thought

" no more murders," at last, stopping abruptly and facing us " put that consideration asked me if the name assassin The mere knowing name is small thing, however, compared power of laying our hands upon him This I expect very shortly good hopes of managing it through my own arrangements; but thing which needs delicate handling, for shrewd and desperate man to deal with, supported, as occasion , by another as clever as himself As long man has no idea that anyone clue some chance of securing him; but if he had the slightest suspicion, change his name, and vanish in an instant four million inhabitants great city Without meaning to hurt either of your feelings, bound that I consider these men more than match official force, is why asked your assistance If I fail , , incur all the blame due omission; but that prepared for At present ready to promise instant that communicate without endangering my own combinations, "

Gregson and Lestrade seemed far from satisfied assurance, or depreciating allusion detective police The former had flushed roots flaxen hair, while the other's beady eyes glistened with curiosity and resentment Neither had time , however, before tap door, spokesman street Arabs, young Wiggins, introduced his insignificant and unsavoury person

"Please, sir," , touching his forelock, " the cab downstairs "

"Good boy," said Holmes, blandly "Why don't you introduce this pattern at Scotland Yard ? " he continued, taking pair of steel handcuffs from drawer "See how beautifully the spring works They fasten in an instant "

"The old pattern is good enough," remarked Lestrade, " only find the man them on "

" , ," said Holmes, smiling "The cabman may help me with my boxes Just ask him to step up, Wiggins "

surprised my companion speaking he were about to set out on journey, since he said anything small portmanteau room, and this he pulled out and began to strap busily engaged at it cabman entered the room

"Just help buckle, cabman," , kneeling over his task, and never turning his head

The fellow came forward with somewhat sullen, defiant air, and put down his hands to assist instant sharp click, the jangling of metal, and Sherlock Holmes sprang feet again

"Gentlemen," he cried, with flashing eyes, "let me introduce you to Mr Jefferson Hope, the murderer of Enoch Drebber and of Joseph Stangerson "