"I drove place- about two miles south side of Esher The house was fair-sized one, standing back road, with curving drive banked with high evergreen shrubs an old, tumble-down building in crazy state of disrepair trap pulled up grass-grown drive in front blotched and weather-stained door, I had doubts my wisdom in visiting man whom so slightly He opened the door himself, however, and greeted me with great show of cordiality handed over manservant melancholy, swarthy individual, who led the way, my bag hand, to my bedroom The whole place was depressing Our dinner was tete-a-tete, and though my host did his best entertaining, his thoughts seemed to continually wander, and he talked so vaguely and wildly that hardly understand him He continually drummed his fingers table, gnawed his nails, and gave other signs of nervous impatience The dinner itself was neither well served nor well cooked, gloomy presence taciturn servant help to enliven us assure you that course evening I wished that invent some excuse which would take me back to Lee

" comes back to my memory have bearing business that you two gentlemen are investigating nothing of it Near the end of dinner note was handed in servant I noticed that after my host had read it even more distrait and strange than before up all pretence at conversation and sat smoking endless cigarettes, lost own thoughts, but no remark contents About eleven glad to bed later Garcia looked in at my door- the room was dark - and asked me if I had rung that I He apologized for having disturbed me so late, saying nearly one o'clock I dropped off and slept soundly all night

"And now I come amazing part tale When I woke broad daylight I glanced at my watch, time was nearly nine I had particularly asked called at eight, so astonished forgetfulness I sprang up and rang servant no response I rang again and again, same result Then conclusion bell was out of order I huddled on my clothes and hurried downstairs in an exceedingly bad temper to order some hot water imagine my surprise when that no one there I shouted hall no answer Then I ran from room to room All were deserted My host had shown me his bedroom the night before, so I knocked door No reply I turned the handle and walked in The room was empty, bed had never been slept in He had gone rest The foreign host, the foreign footman, the foreign cook, all had vanished night ! That end visit to Wisteria Lodge "

Sherlock Holmes was rubbing his hands and chuckling as he added this bizarre incident collection of strange episodes

"Your experience is, as , perfectly unique ! " said he "May I ask, sir, what then ? "

" furious My first idea I the victim of some absurd practical joke I packed my things, banged the hall door behind me, and set off for Esher, with my bag in my hand I called at Allan Brothers', the chief land agents village, and found firm villa rented It struck me whole proceeding could hardly be of making fool of me, and main object rent late in March, so quarter-day is at hand But this theory work The agent was obliged warning, but told me rent paid in advance Then my way to town and called Spanish embassy The man was unknown there I went Melville, at whose house I had first met Garcia, but that he really knew rather less about him than Finally when I got your reply to my wire out , since I gather that person who gives advice in difficult cases But now, Mr Inspector, I understand, from what you said entered the room, that carry the story on, some tragedy has occurred assure you that every word said truth, outside of what told you, absolutely nothing fate man My only desire is to help the law in every possible way "

" of it Mr Scott Eccles- of it," said Inspector Gregson in very amiable tone " bound that everything which said agrees very closely facts come to our notice For example, that note which arrived during dinner Did you chance to observe what became of it ? "

"Yes, Garcia rolled it up and threw it fire "

"What say , Mr Baynes ? "

The country detective was stout, puffy, red man, whose face was only redeemed from grossness by two extraordinarily bright eyes, almost hidden behind the heavy creases of cheek and brow With slow smile he drew folded and discoloured scrap of paper pocket

" dog-grate, Mr Holmes, and he overpitched it I picked this out unburned back of it "

Holmes smiled his appreciation

" examined the house very carefully single pellet of paper "

" , Mr Holmes It's my way Shall it, Mr Gregson ? "

The Londoner nodded

"The note is written upon ordinary cream-laid paper without watermark quarter-sheet The paper is cut off in two snips with short-bladed scissors folded over three times and sealed with purple wax, put on hurriedly and pressed down with some flat oval object addressed to Mr Garcia, Wisteria Lodge It says:

"Our own colours, green and white Green open, white shut Main stair, first corridor, seventh right, green baize Godspeed D woman's writing, done with sharp-pointed pen, but the address is either done with another pen or by someone else thicker and bolder, as "

"A very remarkable note," said Holmes, glancing it over " compliment you, Mr Baynes, upon your attention to detail in your examination of it few trifling points might perhaps be added The oval seal is undoubtedly plain sleeve-link- what else is shape ? The scissors were bent nail scissors Short two snips are, distinctly see the same slight curve in each "

The country detective chuckled

" I had squeezed all the juice out of it, but little over," "I'm bound that I make nothing note except that something on hand, woman, as usual, was bottom of it "

Mr Scott Eccles had fidgeted seat during this conversation

" you found the note, since it corroborates my story," said he "But I beg to point out that heard what has happened to Mr Garcia, nor what has become household "