" not appear matter at all," said Holmes evident relief melancholy acquaintance "If clear it up I don't ask my name mentioned "

"Well, it's very handsome of you, And your friend, Dr Watson, trusted, Now, Mr Holmes, walk down place one question like to I'd breathe it to no soul but you " He looked round he hardly dare utter the words "Don't case against Mr Neil Gibson himself ? "

" considering that "

"You've not seen Miss Dunbar wonderful fine woman in every way well have wished his wife road And these Americans are readier with pistols than our folk are his pistol, "

" clearly made out ? "

"Yes, sir one of pair that he had "

"One of pair ? Where other ? "

"Well, the gentleman has lot of firearms of one sort and another We never quite matched that particular pistol -- but the box for two "

" one of pair surely to match it "

"Well, them all laid out house care to look them o ev "

"Later, perhaps walk down together look scene tragedy "

This conversation had taken place little front room of Sergeant Coventry's humble cottage which served local police-station walk of half mile or so across wind-swept heath, all gold and bronze fading ferns, brought us to side-gate opening grounds Thor Place estate path led us pheasant preserves, and then from clearing we saw the widespread, half-timbered house, half Tudor and half Georgian, crest hill Beside us long, reedy pool, constricted centre where the main carriage drive passed over stone bridge, but swelling into small lakes on either side Our guide paused mouth bridge, and he pointed ground

"That was where Mrs Gibson's body lay I marked it stone "

"I understand that you were there before moved ? "

"Yes, they sent at once "

"Who did ? "

" Mr Gibson himself The moment the alarm was given and he had rushed down with others house, he insisted that nothing moved until the police should arrive "

"That was sensible I gathered newspaper report shot was fired from close quarters "

"Yes, sir, very close "

"Near the right temple ? "

"Just behind it, sir "

"How did the body lie ? "

" back, sir No trace of struggle No marks No weapon The short note from Miss Dunbar was clutched in her "

"Clutched, you say ? "

"Yes, sir, hardly open the fingers "

" of great importance It excludes the idea that anyone placed the note there after death false clue Dear me ! The note, as I remember, was quite short:

" at Thor Bridge at nine o'clock " "G DUNBAR

not so ? "

"Yes, sir "

"Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it ? "

"Yes, sir "

" her explanation ? "

"Her defence was reserved Assizes say nothing "

"The problem is certainly very interesting one The point letter is very obscure, not ? "

"Well, sir," said the guide, "it seemed, if so bold as so, the only really clear point whole case "

Holmes shook his head

"Granting letter is genuine and was really written, certainly received before -- say one hour or two Why, then, lady still clasping it in her ? Why should she carry it so carefully ? She need to refer interview Does it not seem remarkable ? "

"Well, sir, put it, perhaps it does "

" like to sit quietly and think it out " He seated himself stone ledge bridge, and I his quick gray eyes darting their questioning glances in every direction Suddenly he sprang up again and ran across opposite parapet, whipped his lens pocket, and began to examine the stonework

" curious," said he

"Yes, sir, we saw the chip ledge I expect it's been done by some passer-by "

The stonework was gray, but at point it showed white for space not larger than sixpence When examined closely one surface was chipped as by sharp blow

"It took some violence to ," said Holmes thoughtfully cane he struck the ledge without leaving mark "Yes, hard knock In curious place, too not from above but from below, see lower edge parapet "

"But fifteen feet body "

"Yes, fifteen feet body It nothing matter, but point worth noting that anything more to learn here There were no footsteps, you say ? "

"The ground was iron hard, sir There were no traces at all "

"Then go go house first and look over these weapons you speak Then get on to Winchester, for desire Miss Dunbar before we go farther "

Mr Neil Gibson returned from town, but we saw house the neurotic Mr Bates who had called upon us morning He showed us with sinister relish the formidable array of firearms of various shapes and sizes which his employer had accumulated course of an adventurous life

" Mr Gibson has his enemies, as anyone would expect who knew him methods," said he "He sleeps with loaded revolver drawer beside his bed man of violence, sir, and times when all of us are afraid of him poor lady who has passed was often terrified "

"Did you ever witness physical violence towards her ? "

"No, I that But heard words which were nearly as bad -- words of cold, cutting contempt, even servants "

"Our millionaire seem to shine in private life," remarked Holmes as our way station "Well, Watson, come on facts, new ones, and yet I seem some way from my conclusion very evident dislike which Mr Bates has employer, I gather that alarm came undoubtedly library Dinner was over at 8:30 and all was normal then true alarm was somewhat late evening, but the tragedy certainly occurred hour named note no evidence at all that Mr Gibson out of doors since his return from town at five o'clock other hand, Miss Dunbar, as I understand it, admits that she had made an appointment to meet Mrs Gibson bridge Beyond this say nothing, as her lawyer had advised her to reserve her defence several very vital questions to ask that young lady, and my mind easy until seen her confess case would seem very black against her "

"And what , Holmes ? "

"The finding pistol in her wardrobe "

"Dear me, Holmes ! " I cried, "that seemed the most damning incident of all "