"But what caused it ? Only great violence such an effect "

Holmes answer His pale, eager face had suddenly assumed that tense, far-away expression which I had learned to associate supreme manifestations genius So evident crisis mind that none of us dared , and we sat, barrister, prisoner, and myself, watching him in concentrated and absorbed silence Suddenly he sprang chair, vibrating with nervous energy pressing need for action

"Come, Watson, come ! " he cried

" it, Mr Holmes ? "

"Never mind, my dear lady hear from me, Mr Cummings help god of justice case which will make England ring get news by to-morrow, Miss Dunbar, and meanwhile take my assurance clouds are lifting every the light of truth is breaking through "

not long journey from Winchester to Thor Place, but long in my impatience, while for Holmes evident seemed endless; for, nervous restlessness sit still, but paced the carriage or drummed long, sensitive fingers cushions beside him Suddenly, however, neared our destination he seated himself opposite -- we had first-class carriage to ourselves -- and laying hand upon each knees he looked into my eyes peculiarly mischievous gaze charactenstic more imp-like moods

"Watson," said he, " some recollection that you go armed upon these excursions of ours "

for him that so, for little care own safety when his mind was once absorbed by problem more than once my revolver good friend in need I reminded him fact

"Yes, yes, little absent-minded matters But your revolver on you ? "

I produced it from my hip-pocket, short, handy, but very serviceable little weapon He undid the catch, shook out the cartridges, and examined it with care

"It's heavy -- remarkably heavy," said he

"Yes, solid bit of work "

He mused over it for minute

" , Watson," said he, "I believe your revolver is going very intimate connection mystery investigating "

"My dear Holmes, joking "

"No, Watson, very serious test test comes off, all clear test will depend conduct little weapon One cartridge out Now replace the other five and put safety-catch So ! That increases the weight and makes it better reproduction "

I had no glimmer of mind, nor did he enlighten me, but sat lost in thought until we pulled up little Hampshire station We secured ramshackle trap, and in quarter of an hour were house confidential friend, the sergeant

"A clue, Mr Holmes ? it ? "

"It all depends behaviour of Dr Watson's revolver," said my friend "Here Now, officer, me ten yards of string ? "

The village shop provided ball of stout twine

" all need," said Holmes "Now, please, get off on what last stage journey "

The sun was setting and turning the rolling Hampshire moor into wonderful autumnal panorama The sergeant, with many critical and incredulous glances, which showed his deep doubts sanity companion, lurched along beside us approached the scene crime I that my friend under all his habitual coolness was in truth deeply agitated

"Yes," in answer to my remark, " seen me miss my mark before, Watson an instinct for such things, and yet it has sometimes played me false It seemed certainty when first it flashed across my mind cell at Winchester, but one drawback of an active mind one can always conceive alternative explanations which would make our scent false one And yet -- and yet -- Well, Watson, but try "

As he walked he had firmly tied one end string handle revolver We had now reached the scene tragedy With great care he marked out under the guidance policeman the exact spot where the body stretched He then hunted heather ferns until considerable stone This he secured other end line of string, and he hung it over the parapet bridge so swung clear above the water He then stood fatal spot, some distance edge bridge, with my revolver hand, the string being taut weapon heavy stone farther side

"Now ! " he cried

words he raised the pistol head, and then let go his grip In an instant it whisked away weight stone, had struck with sharp crack against the parapet, and had vanished over the side water It had hardly gone before Holmes was kneeling beside the stonework, and joyous cry showed that he had found what he expected

"Was there ever more exact demonstration ? " he cried "See, Watson, your revolver has solved the problem ! " As he spoke he pointed to second chip exact size and shape first which had appeared under edge stone balustrade

"We'll stay inn to-night," he continued as he rose and faced the astonished sergeant " , , get grappling-hook and easily restore my friend's revol ev also find beside it the revolver, string and weight this vindictive woman attempted to disguise her own crime and to fasten charge of murder upon an innocent victim let Mr Gibson know that him morning, when steps taken for Miss Dunbar's vindication "

Late that evening, sat together smoking our pipes village inn, Holmes brief review of what had passed

" , Watson," said he, "that improve any reputation which acquired by adding the case Thor Bridge mystery to your annals sluggish in mind and wanting mixture of imagination and reality the basis art I confess chip stonework was sufficient clue to suggest the true solution, I blame myself for not having attained it sooner

"It admitted workings unhappy woman's mind were deep and subtle, so no very simple matter to unravel her plot that adventures ever come across stranger example of what perverted love can bring about Whether Miss Dunbar was her rival in physical or in merely mental sense seems equally unforgivable in her eyes she blamed this innocent lady for all those harsh dealings and unkind words her husband tried to repel her too demonstrative affection Her first resolution was to end her own life Her second was involve her victim in fate worse far than any sudden death

" follow the various steps quite clearly, show remarkable subtlety of mind note was extracted very cleverly from Miss Dunbar which would make it appear that she had chosen the scene crime In her anxiety discovered she somewhat overdid it by holding it in her hand last This alone excited my suspicions earlier than it did

"Then she took one of her husband's revolvers -- , saw, an arsenal house -- and kept it for her own use similar one she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe after discharging one barrel, which easily do woods without attracting attention She then went down bridge where she had contrived this exceedingly ingenious method for getting rid of her weapon When Miss Dunbar appeared she used her last breath in pouring out her hatred, and then, when she was out of hearing, carried out her terrible purpose Every link is now in its place chain is complete The papers may ask why the mere was not dragged first instance, but easy wise event, and in any case the expanse of reed-filled lake is no easy matter to drag unless clear perception of what looking for and where Well, Watson, helped remarkable woman, and also formidable man Should they join their forces, as seems not unlikely, the financial world may find that Mr Neil Gibson has learned something schoolroom of sorrow where our earthly lessons are taught "