Holmes smiled and rubbed his hands

" congratulate you, Inspector, on handling so distinctive and instructive case Your powers, if say so without offence, seem superior to your opportunities "

Inspector Baynes's small eyes twinkled with pleasure

"You're right, Mr Holmes We stagnate provinces case sort gives man chance, and take it What make bones ? "

"A lamb, say, or kid "

" white cock ? "

"Curious, Mr Baynes, very curious say almost unique "

"Yes, sir, there must some very strange people with some very strange ways house is dead Did his companions follow him and kill him ? If them, for every port is watched But my own views are different Yes, sir, my own views are very different "

" theory then ? "

"And I'll work it myself, Mr Holmes It's only due to my own credit is made, but still mine glad afterwards that I had solved it without your help "

Holmes laughed good-humouredly

"Well, well, Inspector," said he " follow your path follow mine My results are always at your service care to apply that all that house, more profitably employed elsewhere Au revoir and good luck ! "

tell by numerous subtle signs, which lost upon anyone but myself, that Holmes was on hot scent As impassive as ever casual observer, there were none the less subdued eagerness and suggestion of tension brightened eyes and brisker manner which assured me game was foot After his habit nothing, and after mine I asked no questions Sufficient to share the sport and lend my humble help capture without distracting that intent brain with needless interruption All would come round in due time

I waited, therefore- but to my ever-deepening disappointment I waited in vain Day succeeded day, and my friend took no step forward One morning he spent in town, and I learned from casual reference that he had visited the British Museum Save for excursion, he spent his days in long and often solitary walks, or in chatting with number of village gossips whose acquaintance he had cultivated

"I'm sure, Watson, week country invaluable ," he remarked " very pleasant the first green shoots hedges catkins hazels once again With spud, tin box, and an elementary book on botany, instructive days spent " He prowled about equipment himself, but poor show of plants which bring back of an evening

Occasionally rambles we came across Inspector Baynes His fat, red face wreathed itself in smiles small eyes glittered as he greeted my companion little case, but little we gathered that he also was not dissatisfied course of events admit, however, that somewhat surprised when, some five days crime, I opened my morning paper in large letters:

THE OXSHOTT MYSTERY

SOLUTION

ARREST OF SUPPOSED ASSASSIN

Holmes sprang chair he stung when the headlines

"By Jove ! " he cried "You don't mean that Baynes has got him ? "

"Apparently," said I as the following report:

"Great excitement was caused in Esher neighbouring district when learned late last night that an arrest effected in connection Oxshott murder remembered that Mr Garcia, of Wisteria Lodge, was found dead on Oxshott Common, his body showing signs of extreme violence, same night his servant cook fled, which appeared to show participation crime suggested, but never proved, gentleman had valuables house, their abstraction motive crime Every effort by Inspector Baynes, who case in hand, to ascertain the hiding place fugatives, and he had good reason gone far but were lurking in some retreat which already prepared certain first, however, that eventually be detected, cook, evidence of trades-people caught glimpse of him window, was man of most remarkable appearance- being huge and hideous mulatto, with yellowish features of pronounced negroid type This man seen crime, for detected and pursued by Constable Walters same evening, when he had the audacity to revisit Wisteria Lodge Inspector Baynes, considering that such visit some purpose in view and was likely, therefore, repeated, abandoned the house but left an ambuscade shrubbery The man walk trap and was captured last night after struggle Constable Downing was badly bitten savage We understand that prisoner is brought magistrates remand applied for police, great developments are hoped capture "

"Really see Baynes at once," cried Holmes, picking up his hat " just catch him before he starts " We hurried down the village street and found, had expected, inspector was just leaving his lodgings

"You've seen the paper, Mr Holmes ? " he asked, holding one out

"Yes, Baynes, I've seen it Pray don't think it liberty if I word of friendly warning

"Of warning Mr Holmes ? "

" looked case with some care, and not convinced that right lines I don't want you to commit yourself too far unless "

"You're very kind, Mr Holmes "

"I assure you I speak for your good "

It seemed that something like wink quivered for an instant over one of Mr Baynes's tiny eyes

"We agreed to work own lines, Mr Holmes That's what doing "

"Oh, ," said Holmes "Don't blame me "

"No, sir; I believe you mean well by me But we all have our own systems, Mr Holmes yours, and maybe mine "

" no more "

"You're welcome always to my news This fellow is perfect savage, as strong as cart-horse and as fierce devil He chewed Downing's thumb nearly off could master him He hardly speaks word of English, and get nothing out of him but grunts "

"And evidence that he murdered his late master ? "

"I didn't say so, Mr Holmes; I didn't say so We all have our little ways You try yours try mine That's the agreement "

Holmes shrugged his shoulders walked away together " 't man out He riding for fall Well, as , each try our own way what comes of it But there's something in Inspector Baynes which 't quite understand "

"Just sit down chair, Watson," said Sherlock Holmes when we had returned to our apartment Bull " you in touch situation, as need your help to-night Let me show you the evolution of as it Simple in its leading features, it has none the less presented surprising difficulties way of an arrest gaps direction which still