"I hardly follow you "

"Well now, Watson, suppose for moment that we visualize you character of woman who, in cold, premeditated fashion, is about rid of rival planned it note written The victim your weapon The crime is done workmanlike and complete tell me that after carrying out so crafty crime now ruin your reputation as criminal by forgetting to fling your weapon into those adjacent reed-beds which would forever cover it, but needs carry it carefully home and put it in your own wardrobe, the very first place searched ? Your best friends would hardly call you schemer, Watson, and yet picture you doing anything so crude "

" excitement moment "

"No, no, Watson, admit possible Where crime is coolly premeditated, then the means of covering it are coolly premeditated also , therefore, that presence of serious misconception "

"But to explain "

"Well, set about explaining it When once your point of view is changed, the very thing so damning becomes clue truth For example, this revolver Miss Dunbar disclaims all knowledge of it new theory speaking truth when she says so Therefore, placed in her wardrobe Who placed it there ? Someone who wished to incriminate her Was not that person the actual criminal ? how we come at once upon most fruitful line of inquiry "

We were compelled the night at Winchester, formalities yet been completed, but next morning, company of Mr Joyce Cummings, the rising barrister who was entrusted defence, we were allowed the young lady in her cell I had expected from all that we had heard beautiful woman, but never forget the effect which Miss Dunbar produced upon me no wonder that even the masterful millionaire had found in her something more powerful than himself -- something which could control and guide him One felt, too, as one looked strong, clear-cut, and yet sensitive face, that even should she be capable of some impetuous deed, none the less an innate nobility of character which would make her influence always good She was brunette, tall, with noble figure and commanding presence, but her dark eyes had the appealing, helpless expression hunted creature who feels the nets around it, but no way out toils Now, as she realized the presence help famous friend, there came touch of colour in her wan cheeks and light of hope began to glimmer glance which she turned upon us

"Perhaps Mr Neil Gibson has told you something of what occurred ? " she asked in low, agitated voice

"Yes," Holmes answered, " not pain yourself by entering into that part story After seeing you, prepared to accept Mr Gibson's statement both influence which you had over him and innocence of your relations But why whole situation not brought out in court ? "

"It seemed incredible that such charge sustained that waited the whole thing must clear itself up without our being compelled to enter into painful details inner life family But I understand that far from clearing it has become even more serious "

"My dear young lady," cried Holmes earnestly, "I beg you no illusions point Mr Cummings here would assure you that all the cards are at present against us, do everything possible to win clear It cruel deception to pretend that in very great danger all the can, then, truth "

" conceal nothing "

"Tell us, then, of your true relations with Mr Gibson's wife "

"She hated me, Mr Holmes She hated me with all the fervour of her tropical nature She was woman do nothing by halves, measure of her love for her husband measure also of her hatred probable that she misunderstood our relations wish to wrong her, but she loved so vividly in physical sense that hardly understand the mental, and even spiritual, tie which held her husband , or imagine only my desire to influence his power to good ends which kept me under his roof now that wrong Nothing could justify me in remaining where cause of unhappiness, and yet certain unhappiness remained even if I had left the house "

"Now, Miss Dunbar," said Holmes, "I beg you us exactly what occurred that evening "

" tell you the truth as it, Mr Holmes, but nothing, and points -- the most vital points -- which neither explain nor can I imagine any explanation "

"If the facts, perhaps others may find the explanation "

"With regard, then, to my presence at Thor Bridge that night, I received note from Mrs Gibson morning It lay table schoolroom, and it may left there by her own hand It implored me her there after dinner, said she had something important , and asked me to leave an answer sundial garden, as she desired no one confidence no reason for such secrecy, but as she asked, accepting the appointment She asked me to destroy her note and I burned it schoolroom grate She was afraid of her husband, who treated her with harshness I frequently reproached him, and only imagine that she acted because she wish him interview "

"Yet she kept your reply very carefully ? "

"Yes surprised to hear that she had it in her hand when she died "

"Well, what happened then ? "

"I went down as I had promised When I reached the bridge she was waiting Never did till that moment how this poor creature hated me She was like mad woman -- indeed, she was mad woman, subtly mad deep power of deception which insane people How else could she have met me with unconcern every day and yet had so raging hatred of me in her heart ? say what she said She poured her whole wild fury out in burning and horrible words even answer -- dreadful her I put my hands to my ears and rushed away When I left her she was standing, still shrieking out her curses at me, mouth bridge "

"Where she was afterwards found ? "

"Within few yards spot "

"And yet, presuming that she met her death shortly after you left her, you heard no shot~"

"No, I heard nothing But, indeed, Mr Holmes, so agitated and horrified terrible outbreak that I rushed back peace own room, and incapable of noticing anything which happened "

"You say that you returned to your room Did you leave it again before next morning ? "

"Yes, alarm came poor creature had met her death I ran out others "

"Did Mr Gibson ? "

"Yes, he had just returned bridge when him He had sent doctor police "

"Did he seem much perturbed ? "

" Mr Gibson is very strong, self-contained man that ever show his emotions surface But I, who knew him , that deeply concerned "

"Then we come all-important point This pistol that was found in your room Had you ever seen it before ? "

"Never, I swear it "

"When found ? "

"Next morning, police made their search "

"Among your clothes ? "

"Yes, floor wardrobe under my dresses "

" guess how long it there ? "

"It there the morning before "

"How ? "

"Because I tidied out the wardrobe "

" final Then someone came into your room and placed the pistol there to inculpate you "

"It must so "

"And when ? "

"It could only at meal-time, or else hours when schoolroom children "

" were got the note ? "

"Yes, onward whole morning "

" , Miss Dunbar point which could help me investigation ? "

" think of none "

" some sign of violence stonework bridge -- perfectly fresh chip just opposite the body Could you suggest any possible explanation ? "

"Surely it mere coincidence "