"Good-bye, little man You strange start in life Nurse, wish word in private "

her aside and spoke earnestly I only heard the last words, which were: "Your anxiety will soon, , be set at rest " The woman, who seemed sour, silent kind of creature, withdrew child

" Mrs Mason like ? " asked Holmes

"Not very prepossessing externally, see, but heart of gold, and devoted child "

" like her, Jack ? " Holmes turned suddenly boy His expressive mobile face shadowed over, and he shook his head

"Jacky has very strong likes and dislikes," said Ferguson, putting his arm round the boy "Luckily one likes "

The boy cooed and nestled his head upon his father's breast Ferguson gently disengaged him

"Run away, little Jacky," said he, and he watched his son with loving eyes until he disappeared "Now, Mr Holmes," he continued boy was gone, "I really feel that brought you on fool's errand, for what possibly do save your sympathy ? It an exceedingly delicate and complex affair from your point of view "

" certainly delicate," said my friend with an amused smile, "but I struck now with its complexity case for intellectual deduction, but original intellectual deduction is confirmed point by point by quite number of independent incidents, then the subjective becomes objective and we confidently that reached our goal I had, , reached it before we left Baker Street, rest has merely been observation and confirmation "

Ferguson put his big hand furrowed forehead

"For heaven's sake, Holmes," hoarsely; " see the truth , keep me in suspense How do I stand ? What shall ? I care nothing how found your facts really got them "

"Certainly I owe you an explanation, and it But permit me to handle the matter in my own way ? lady capable of seeing us, Watson ? "

" ill, but quite rational "

" only in her presence that clear the matter up go her "

"She will not see me," cried Ferguson

"Oh, yes, she will," said Holmes He scribbled few lines upon sheet of paper "You have the entree, Watson Will the goodness the lady this note ? "

I ascended again and handed the note to Dolores, who cautiously opened the door minute later I heard cry from within, cry joy and surprise seemed blended Dolores looked out

"She will see them She will leesten," said she

At my summons Ferguson and Holmes came up entered the room Ferguson took step or two towards his wife, who had raised herself bed, but she held out her hand to repulse him He sank into an armchair, while Holmes seated himself beside him, after bowing lady, who looked at him with wide-eyed amazement

" dispense with Dolores," said Holmes "Oh, , madame, rather she stayed no objection Now, Mr Ferguson, busy man wlth many calls, and my methods have short and direct The swiftest surgery least painful Let me first say ease your mind Your wife is , very loving, and very ill-used woman "

Ferguson sat up with cry of joy

"Prove that, Mr Holmes, and your debtor forever "

" , but in wound you deeply in another direction "

"I care nothing clear my wife Everything on earth is insignificant compared "

"Let me tell you, then, the train of reasoning which passed through my mind in Baker Street The idea of vampire was absurd Such things happen in criminal practice in England And yet your observation was precise You had seen the lady rise from beside the child's cot blood upon her lips "

" "

"Did it not occur that bleeding wound sucked for some other purpose than to draw the blood ? Was there not queen in English history who sucked such wound to draw poison ? "

"Poison ! "

"A South American household My instinct felt the presence weapons wall before my eyes ever saw them It other poison, but that was what occurred When that little empty quiver beside the small birdbow, just what I expected child were pricked with one arrows dipped in curare or some other devilish drug, it would mean death venom sucked out

" dog ! If one were to use such poison, would one not try it first lost its power ? foresee the dog, but I understand him and he fitted into my reconstruction

"Now understand ? Your wife feared such an attack She saw it made and saved the child's life, and yet she shrank from telling you all the truth, for she knew how you loved the boy and feared lest it break your heart "

"Jacky ! "

"I watched him fondled the child just now His face was clearly reflected glass window where the shutter formed background such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as seldom seen in human face "

"My Jacky ! "

" it, Mr Ferguson more painful because distorted love, maniacal exaggerated love , and possibly dead mother, prompted his action His very soul is consumed with hatred splendid child, whose health and beauty are contrast own weakness "

"Good God ! incredible ! "

"Have I spoken the truth, madame ? "

The lady was sobbing, with her face buried pillows Now she turned to her husband

"How could I tell you, Bob ? the blow it better that wait it should come from some other lips than mine gentleman, who seems powers of magic, wrote that all, glad "

" year at sea my prescription for Master Jacky," said Holmes, rising chair "Only is still clouded, madame quite understand your attacks upon Master Jacky limit to mother's patience But how did you dare to leave the child these last two days ? "

"I had told Mrs Mason She knew "

"Exactly So I imagined "

Ferguson was standing bed, choking, his hands outstretched and quivering

"This, I fancy, time exit, Watson," said Holmes in whisper " take one elbow too faithful Dolores, other There, now," he added as he closed the door behind him, " leave them to settle the rest among themselves "

further note of letter which Holmes wrote in final answer the narrative begins It ran thus:

BAKER STREET,
Nov 21st
Re Vampires
SIR:
Referring to your letter 19th, I beg to state that looked inquiry of your client, Mr Robert Ferguson, of Ferguson and Muirhead, tea brokers, of Minc- ing Lane, and matter brought to satisfac- tory conclusion With thanks for your recommendation, , sir,

Faithfully yours,

SHERLOCK HOLMES