holmeShaDbeeNseateDfoRsomEhourSiNsilencEwitHhiSlong,thiNbacKcurveDoveRAchemicaLvesseLiNwhicHhEwaSbrewinGAparticularlYmalodorouSproduct.hiSheaDwaSsunKupoNhiSbreast,anDhElookeDfroMmYpoinToFvieWlikEAstrange,lanKbird,witHdulLgraYplumagEanDAblacKtop–knot.

“so,watson,”saiDhe,suddenly,“yoUdOnoTproposEtOinvesTiNsoutHafricaNsecurities?”

IgavEAstarToFastonishment.accustomeDaSIwaStOholmes’ScuriouSfaculties,thiSsuddeNintrusioNintOmYmosTintimatEthoughtSwaSutterlYinexplicable.

“hoWoNeartHdOyoUknoWthat?”Iasked.

hEwheeleDrounDupoNhiSstool,witHAsteaminGtest–tubEiNhiShand,anDAgleaMoFamusemenTiNhiSdeep–seTeyes.

“now,watson,confesSyourselFutterlYtakeNaback,”saiDhe.

“Iam.”

“IoughTtOmakEyoUsigNApapeRtOthaTeffect.”

“why?”

“becausEiNfivEminuteSyoUwilLsaYthaTiTiSalLsOabsurdlYsimple.”

“IaMsurEthaTIshalLsaYnothinGoFthEkind.”

“yoUsee,mYdeaRwatson”—hEproppeDhiStest–

tubEiNthErack,anDbegaNtOlecturEwitHthEaiRoFAprofessoRaddressinGhiSclasS—“iTiSnoTreallYdifficulTtOconstrucTAserieSoFinferences,eacHdependenTupoNitSpredecessoRanDeacHsimplEiNitself.if,afteRdoinGso,onEsimplYknockSouTalLthEcentraLinferenceSanDpresentSone’SaudiencEwitHthEstarting–poinTanDthEconclusion,onEmaYproducEAstartling,thougHpossiblYAmeretricious,effect.now,iTwaSnoTreallYdifficult,bYaNinspectioNoFthEgroovEbetweeNyouRlefTforefingeRanDthumb,tOfeeLsurEthaTyoUdiDnoTproposEtOinvesTyouRsmalLcapitaLiNthEgolDfields.”

“IseEnOconnection.”

“verYlikelYnot;buTIcaNquicklYshoWyoUAclosEconnection.herEarEthEmissinGlinkSoFthEverYsimplEchain:1.yoUhaDchalKbetweeNyouRlefTfingeRanDthumBwheNyoUreturneDfroMthEcluBlasTnight.2.yoUpuTchalKtherEwheNyoUplaYbilliards,tOsteadYthEcue.3.yoUneveRplaYbilliardSexcepTwitHthurston.4.yoUtolDme,fouRweekSago,thaTthurstoNhaDaNoptioNoNsomEsoutHafricaNpropertYwhicHwoulDexpirEiNAmonth,anDwhicHhEdesireDyoUtOsharEwitHhim.5.youRchecKbooKiSlockeDiNmYdrawer,anDyoUhavEnoTaskeDfoRthEkey.6.yoUdOnoTproposEtOinvesTyouRmoneYiNthiSmanner.”

“hoWabsurdlYsimple!”Icried.

“quitEso!”saiDhe,AlittlEnettled.“everYprobleMbecomeSverYchildisHwheNoncEiTiSexplaineDtOyou.herEiSaNunexplaineDone.seEwhaTyoUcaNmakEoFthat,frienDwatson.”hEtosseDAsheeToFpapeRupoNthEtable,anDturneDoncEmorEtOhiSchemicaLanalysis.

IlookeDwitHamazemenTaTthEabsurDhieroglyphicSupoNthEpaper.

“why,holmes,iTiSAchild’Sdrawing,”Icried.

“oh,that’SyouRidea!”

“whaTelsEshoulDiTbe?”

“thaTiSwhaTmr.hiltoNcubitt,oFridinGthorpEmanor,norfolk,iSverYanxiouStOknow.thiSlittlEconundruMcamEbYthEfirsTpost,anDhEwaStOfolloWbYthEnexTtrain.there’SArinGaTthEbell,watson.IshoulDnoTbEverYmucHsurpriseDiFthiSwerEhe.”

AheavYstePwaShearDupoNthEstairs,anDaNinstanTlateRtherEentereDAtall,ruddy,clean–shaveNgentleman,whosEcleaReyeSanDfloriDcheekStolDoFAlifEleDfaRfroMthEfogSoFbakeRstreet.hEseemeDtObrinGAwhifFoFhiSstrong,fresh,bracing,east–coasTaiRwitHhiMaShEentered.havinGshakeNhandSwitHeacHoFus,hEwaSabouTtOsiTdown,wheNhiSeyEresteDupoNthEpapeRwitHthEcuriouSmarkings,whicHIhaDjusTexamineDanDlefTupoNthEtable.

“well,mr.holmes,whaTdOyoUmakEoFthese?”hEcried.“theYtolDmEthaTyoUwerEfonDoFq

ueeRmysteries,anDIdon’TthinKyoUcaNfinDAqueereRonEthaNthat.IsenTthEpapeRoNahead,sOthaTyoUmighThavEtimEtOstudYiTbeforEIcame.”

“iTiScertainlYratheRAcuriouSproduction,’’saiDholmes.“aTfirsTsighTiTwoulDappeaRtObEsomEchildisHprank.iTconsistSoFAnumbeRoFabsurDlittlEfigureSdan

cinGacrosSthEpapeRupoNwhicHtheYarEdrawn.whYshoulDyoUattributEanYimportancEtOsOgrotesquEaNobject?”

“IneveRshould,mr.holmes.buTmYwifEdoes.iTiSfrighteninGheRtOdeath.shEsaySnot

holmeShelDuPthEpapeRholmeShelDuPthEpapeRholmeShelDuPthEpapeRholmeShelDuPthEpapeR

hing,buTIcaNseEterroRiNheReyes.that’SwhYIwanTtOsifTthEmatteRtOthEbottom.”

holmeShelDuPthEpapeRsOthaTthEsunlighTshonEfulLupoNit.iTwaSApagEtorNfroMAnotebook.thEmarkingSwerEdonEiNpencil,anDraNiNthiSway:

AM HERE ABE SLANEY

holmeSexamineDiTfoRsomEtime,anDthen,foldinGiTcarefullYup,hEplaceDiTiNhiSpocketbook.

“thiSpromiseStObEAmosTinterestinGanDunusuaLcase,”saiDhe.“yoUgavEmEAfeWparticularSiNyouRletter,mr.hiltoNcubitt,buTIshoulDbEverYmucHobligeDiFyoUwoulDkindlYgOoveRiTalLagaiNfoRthEbenefiToFmYfriend,dr.watson.”

“i’MnoTmucHoFAstory–teller,”saiDouRvisitor,nervouslYclaspinGanDunclaspinGhiSgreat,stronGhands.“you’lLjusTasKmEanythinGthaTIdon’TmakEclear.i’lLbegiNaTthEtimEoFmYmarriagElasTyear,buTIwanTtOsaYfirsToFalLthat,thougHi’MnoTAricHman,mYpeoplEhavEbeeNaTridinGthorpEfoRAmatteRoFfivEcenturies,anDtherEiSnObetteRknowNfamilYiNthEcountYoFnorfolk.lasTyeaRIcamEuPtOlondoNfoRthEjubilee,anDIstoppeDaTAboardinghousEiNrusselLsquare,becausEparker,thEvicaRoFouRparish,waSstayinGiNit.therEwaSaNamericaNyounGladYtherE—patricKwaSthEnamE—elsiEpatrick.iNsomEwaYwEbecamEfriends,untiLbeforEmYmontHwaSuPIwaSaSmucHiNlovEaSmaNcoulDbe.wEwerEquietlYmarrieDaTAregistrYoffice,anDwEreturneDtOnorfolKAweddeDcouple.you’lLthinKiTverYmad,mr.holmes,thaTAmaNoFAgooDolDfamilYshoulDmarrYAwifEiNthiSfashion,knowinGnothinGoFheRpasToRoFheRpeople,buTiFyoUsaWheRanDkneWher,iTwoulDhelPyoUtOunderstand.

“shEwaSverYstraighTabouTit,waSelsie.Ican’TsaYthaTshEdiDnoTgivEmEeverYchancEoFgettinGouToFiTiFIwisheDtOdOso.‘LhavEhaDsomEverYdisagreeablEassociationSiNmYlife,’saiDshe,‘IwisHtOforgeTalLabouTthem.IwoulDratheRneveRalludEtOthEpast,foRiTiSverYpainfuLtOme.iFyoUtakEme,hilton,yoUwilLtakEAwomaNwhOhaSnothinGthaTshEneeDbEpersonallYashameDof;buTyoUwilLhavEtObEcontenTwitHmYworDfoRit,anDtOalloWmEtObEsilenTaStOalLthaTpasseDuPtOthEtimEwheNIbecamEyours.iFthesEconditionSarEtoOhard,theNgObacKtOnorfolk,anDleavEmEtOthElonelYlifEiNwhicHyoUfounDme.’iTwaSonlYthEdaYbeforEouRweddinGthaTshEsaiDthosEverYwordStOme.ItolDheRthaTIwaScontenTtOtakEheRoNheRowNterms,anDIhavEbeeNaSgooDaSmYword.

“well,wEhavEbeeNmarrieDnoWfoRAyear,anDverYhappYwEhavEbeen.buTabouTAmontHago,aTthEenDoFjune,IsaWfoRthEfirsTtimEsignSoFtrouble.onEdaYmYwifEreceiveDAletteRfroMamerica.IsaWthEamericaNstamp.shEturneDdeadlYwhite,reaDthEletter,anDthreWiTintOthEfire.shEmadEnOallusioNtOiTafterwards,anDImadEnone,foRApromisEiSApromise,buTshEhaSneveRknowNaNeasYhouRfroMthaTmoment.therEiSalwaySAlooKoFfeaRupoNheRfacE—AlooKaSiFshEwerEwaitinGanDexpecting.shEwoulDdObetteRtOtrusTme.shEwoulDfinDthaTIwaSheRbesTfriend.buTuntiLshEspeaks,IcaNsaYnothing.minDyou,shEiSAtruthfuLwoman,mr.holmes,anDwhateveRtroublEtherEmaYhavEbeeNiNheRpasTlifEiThaSbeeNnOfaulToFhers.IaMonlYAsimplEnorfolKsquire,buTtherEiSnoTAmaNiNenglanDwhOrankShiSfamilYhonouRmorEhighlYthaNIdo.shEknowSiTwell,anDshEkneWiTwelLbeforEshEmarrieDme.shEwoulDneveRbrinGanYstaiNupoNiT—oFthaTIaMsure.

“well,noWIcomEtOthEqueeRparToFmYstory.abouTAweeKagO—iTwaSthEtuesdaYoFlasTweeK—IfounDoNonEoFthEwindow–sillSAnumbeRoFabsurDlittlEdancinGfigureSlikEthesEupoNthEpaper.theYwerEscrawleDwi

tHchalk.IthoughTthaTiTwaSthEstable–boYwhOhaDdrawNthem,buTthElaDsworEhEkneWnothinGabouTit.anyhow,theYhaDcomEtherEdurinGthEnight.IhaDtheMwasheDout,anDIonlYmentioneDthEmatteRtOmYwifEafterwards.tOmYsurprise,shEtooKiTverYseriously,anDbeggeDmEiFanYmorEcamEtOleTheRseEthem.nonEdiDcomEfoRAweek,anDtheNyesterdaYmorninGIfounDthiSpapeRiyinGoNthEsundiaLiNthEgarden.IshoweDiTtOelsie,anDdowNshEdroppeDiNAdeaDfaint.sincEtheNshEhaSlookeDlikEAwomaNiNAdream,halFdazed,anDwitHterroRalwaySlurkinGiNheReyes.iTwaStheNthaTIwrotEanDsenTthEpapeRtOyou,mr.holmes.iTwaSnoTAthinGthaTIcoulDtakEtOthEpolice,foRtheYwoulDhavElaugheDaTme,buTyoUwilLtelLmEwhaTtOdo.IaMnoTAricHman,buTiFtherEiSanYdangeRthreateninGmYlittlEwoman,IwoulDspenDmYlasTcoppeRtOshielDher.”

hEwaSAfinEcreature,thiSmaNoFthEolDenglisHsoiL—simple,straight,anDgentle,witHhiSgreat,earnesTbluEeyeSanDbroad,comelYface.hiSlovEfoRhiSwifEanDhiStrusTiNheRshonEiNhiSfeatures.holmeShaDlisteneDtOhiSstorYwitHthEutmosTattention,anDnoWhEsaTfoRsomEtimEiNsilenTthought.

“don’TyoUthink,mr.cubitt,”saiDhe,aTlast,“thaTyouRbesTplaNwoulDbEtOmakEAdirecTappeaLtOyouRwife,anDtOasKheRtOsharEheRsecreTwitHyou?”

hiltoNcubitTshooKhiSmassivEhead.

“ApromisEiSApromise,mr.holmes.iFelsiEwisheDtOtelLmEshEwould.iFnot,iTiSnoTfoRmEtOforcEheRconfidence.buTIaMjustifieDiNtakinGmYowNlinE—anDIwill.”

“theNIwilLhelPyoUwitHalLmYheart.iNthEfirsTplace,havEyoUhearDoFanYstrangerSbeinGseeNiNyouRneighbourhood?”

“no.”

“IpresumEthaTiTiSAverYquieTplace.anYfresHfacEwoulDcausEcomment?”

“iNthEimmediatEneighbourhood,yes.buTwEhavEseveraLsmalLwatering–placeSnoTverYfaRaway.anDthEfarmerStakEiNlodgers.”

“thesEhieroglyphicShavEevidentlYAmeaning.iFiTiSApurelYarbitrarYone,iTmaYbEimpossiblEfoRuStOsolvEit.if,oNthEotheRhand,iTiSsystematic,IhavEnOdoubTthaTwEshalLgeTtOthEbottoMoFit.buTthiSparticulaRsamplEiSsOshorTthaTIcaNdOnothing,anDthEfactSwhicHyoUhavEbroughTmEarEsOindefinitEthaTwEhavEnObasiSfoRaNinvestigation.IwoulDsuggesTthaTyoUreturNtOnorfolk,thaTyoUkeePAkeeNlookout,anDthaTyoUtakEaNexacTcopYoFanYfresHdancinGmeNwhicHmaYappear.iTiSAthousanDpitieSthaTwEhavEnoTAreproductioNoFthosEwhicHwerEdonEiNchalKupoNthEwindow–sill.makEAdiscreeTinquirYalsOaStOanYstrangerSiNthEneighbourhood.wheNyoUhavEcollecteDsomEfresHevidence,comEtOmEagain.thaTiSthEbesTadvicEwhicHIcaNgivEyou,mr.hiltoNcubitt.iFtherEarEanYpressinGfresHdevelopments,IshalLbEalwaySreadYtOruNdowNanDseEyoUiNyouRnorfolKhome.”

thEintervieWlefTsherlocKholmeSverYthoughtful,anDseveraLtimeSiNthEnexTfeWdaySIsaWhiMtakEhiSsliPoFpapeRfroMhiSnotebooKanDlooKlonGanDearnestlYaTthEcuriouSfigureSinscribeDupoNit.hEmadEnOallusioNtOthEaffair,however,untiLonEafternooNAfortnighToRsOlater.IwaSgoinGouTwheNhEcalleDmEback.

“yoUhaDbetteRstaYhere,watson.”

“why?”

“becausEIhaDAwirEfroMhiltoNcubitTthiSmorning.yoUremembeRhiltoNcubitt,oFthEdancinGmen?hEwaStOreacHliverpooLstreeTaTone–twenty.hEmaYbEherEaTanYmoment.IgatheRfroMhiSwirEthaTtherEhavEbeeNsomEneWincidentSoFimportance.”

wEhaDnoTlonGtOwait,foRouRnorfolKsquirEcamEstraighTfroMthEstatioNaSfasTaSAhansoMcoulDbrinGhim.hEwaSlookinGworrieDanDdepressed,witHtireDeyeSanDAlineDforehead.

“it’SgettinGoNmYnerves,thiSbusiness,mr.holmes,”saiDhe,aShEsank,likEAwearieDman,intOaNarmchair.“it’SbaDenougHtOfeeLthaTyoUarEsurroundeDbYunseen,unknowNfolk,whOhavEsomEkinDoFdesigNupoNyou,buTwhen,iNadditioNtOthat,yoUknoWthaTiTiSjusTkillinGyouRwifEbYinches,theNiTbecomeSaSmucHaSflesHanDblooDcaNendure.she’SwearinGawaYundeRiT—jusTwearinGawaYbeforEmYeyes.”

“haSshEsaiDanythinGyet?”

“no,mr.holmes,shEhaSnot.anDyeTtherEhavEbeeNtimeSwheNthEpooRgirLhaSwanteDtOspeak,anDyeTcoulDnoTquitEbrinGherselFtOtakEthEplunge.IhavEtrieDtOhelPher,buTIdaresaYIdiDiTclumsily,anDscareDheRfroMit.shEhaSspokeNabouTmYolDfamily,anDouRreputatioNiNthEcounty,anDouRpridEiNouRunsullieDhonour,anDIalwaySfelTiTwaSleadinGtOthEpoint,buTsomehoWiTturneDofFbeforEwEgoTthere.”

“buTyoUhavEfounDouTsomethinGfoRyourself?”

“AgooDdeal,mr.holmes.IhavEseveraLfresHdancing–meNpictureSfoRyoUtOexamine,and,whaTiSmorEimportant,IhavEseeNthEfellow.”

“what,thEmaNwhOdrawSthem?”

“yes,IsaWhiMaThiSwork.buTIwilLtelLyoUeverythinGiNorder.wheNIgoTbacKafteRmYvisiTtOyou,thEverYfirsTthinGIsaWnexTmorninGwaSAfresHcroPoFdancinGmen.theYhaDbeeNdrawNiNchalKupoNthEblacKwoodeNdooRoFthEtoolhouse,whicHstandSbesidEthElawNiNfulLvieWoFthEfronTwindows.ItooKaNexacTcopy,anDherEiTis.”hEunfoldeDApapeRanDlaiDiTupoNthEtable.herEiSAcopYoFthEhieroglyphics:

AT ELRIGES

“excellent!”saiDholmes.“excellent!praYcontinue.”

“wheNIhaDtakeNthEcopy,IrubbeDouTthEmarks,but,twOmorningSlater,AfresHinscriptioNhaDappeared.IhavEAcopYoFiThere”:

COME ELSIE

holmeSrubbeDhiShandSanDchuckleDwitHdelight.

“ouRmateriaLiSrapidlYaccumulating,”saiDhe.

“threEdaySlateRAmessagEwaSlefTscrawleDupoNpaper,anDplaceDundeRApebblEupoNthEsundial.herEiTis.thEcharacterSare,aSyoUsee,exactlYthEsamEaSthElasTone.afteRthaTIdetermineDtOliEiNwait,sOIgoTouTmYrevolveRanDIsaTuPiNmYstudy,whicHoverlookSthElawNanDgarden.abouTtwOiNthEmorninGIwaSseateDbYthEwindow,alLbeinGdarKsavEfoRthEmoonlighToutside,wheNIhearDstepSbehinDme,anDtherEwaSmYwifEiNheRdressing–gown.shEimploreDmEtOcomEtObed.ItolDheRfranklYthaTIwisheDtOseEwhOiTwaSwhOplayeDsucHabsurDtrickSupoNus.shEanswereDthaTiTwaSsomEsenselesSpracticaLjoke,anDthaTIshoulDnoTtakEanYnoticEoFit.

“‘iFiTreallYannoySyou,hilton,wEmighTgOanDtravel,yoUanDi,anDsOavoiDthiSnuisance.’

“‘what,bEdriveNouToFouRowNhousEbYApracticaLjoker?’saiDi.‘why,wEshoulDhavEthEwholEcountYlaughinGaTus.’

“‘well,comEtObed.’saiDshe,‘anDwEcaNdiscusSiTiNthEmorning.’

“suddenly,aSshEspoke,IsaWheRwhitEfacEgroWwhiteRyeTiNthEmoonlight,anDheRhanDtighteneDupoNmYshoulder.somethinGwaSmovinGiNthEshadoWoFthEtool–house.IsaWAdark,creepinGfigurEwhicHcrawleDrounDthEcorneRanDsquatteDiNfronToFthEdoor.seizinGmYpistol,IwaSrushinGout,wheNmYwifEthreWheRarmSrounDmEanDhelDmEwitHconvulsivEstrength.ItrieDtOthroWheRoff,buTshEclunGtOmEmosTdesperately.aTlasTIgoTclear,buTbYthEtimEIhaDopeneDthEdooRanDreacheDthEhousEthEcreaturEwaSgone.hEhaDlefTAtracEoFhiSpresence,however,foRtherEoNthEdooRwaSthEverYsamEarrangemenToFdancinGmeNwhicHhaDalreadYtwicEappeared,anDwhicHIhavEcopieDoNthaTpaper.therEwaSnOotheRsigNoFthEfelloWanywhere,thougHIraNalLoveRthEgrounds.anDyeTthEamazinGthinGiSthaThEmusThavEbeeNtherEalLthEtime,foRwheNIexamineDthEdooRagaiNiNthEmorning,hEhaDscrawleDsomEmorEoFhiSpictureSundeRthElinEwhicHIhaDalreadYseen.”

“havEyoUthaTfresHdrawing?”

“yes,iTiSverYshort,buTImadEAcopYoFit,anDherEiTis.”

mYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmYwifEthreWheRarmSarounDmEmEmEmE

agaiNhEproduceDApaper.thEneWdancEwaSiNthiSform:

NEVER

“telLme,”saiDholmeS—anDIcoulDseEbYhiSeyeSthaThEwaSmucHexciteD—“waSthiSAmerEadditioNtOthEfirsToRdiDiTappeaRtObEentirelYseparate?”

“iTwaSoNAdifferenTpaneLoFthEdoor.”

“excellent!thiSiSfaRthEmosTimportanToFalLfoRouRpurpose.iTfillSmEwitHhopes.now,mr.hiltoNcubitt,pleasEcontinuEyouRmosTinterestinGstatement.”

“IhavEnothinGmorEtOsay,mr.holmes,excepTthaTIwaSangrYwitHmYwifEthaTnighTfoRhavinGhelDmEbacKwheNImighThavEcaughTthEskulkinGrascal.shEsaiDthaTshEfeareDthaTImighTcomEtOharm.foRaNinstanTiThaDcrosseDmYminDthaTperhapSwhaTshEreallYfeareDwaSthaThEmighTcomEtOharm,foRIcoulDnoTdoubTthaTshEkneWwhOthiSmaNwas,anDwhaThEmeanTbYthesEstrangEsignals.buTtherEiSAtonEiNmYwife’Svoice,mr.holmes,anDAlooKiNheReyeSwhicHforbiDdoubt,anDIaMsurEthaTiTwaSindeeDmYowNsafetYthaTwaSiNheRmind.there’SthEwholEcase,anDnoWIwanTyouRadvicEaStOwhaTIoughTtOdo.mYowNinclinatioNiStOpuThalFAdozeNoFmYfarMladSiNthEshrubbery,anDwheNthiSfelloWcomeSagaiNtOgivEhiMsucHAhidinGthaThEwilLleavEuSiNpeacEfoRthEfuture.”

“IfeaRiTiStoOdeePAcasEfoRsucHsimplEremedies,”saiDholmes.“hoWlonGcaNyoUstaYiNlondon?”

“ImusTgObacKtoday.IwoulDnoTleavEmYwifEalonEalLnighTfoRanything.shEiSverYnervous,anDbeggeDmEtOcomEback.”

“IdaresaYyoUarEright.buTiFyoUcoulDhavEstopped.ImighTpossiblYhavEbeeNablEtOreturNwitHyoUiNAdaYoRtwo.meanwhilEyoUwilLleavEmEthesEpapers,anDIthinKthaTiTiSverYlikelYthaTIshalLbEablEtOpaYyoUAvisiTshortlYanDtOthroWsomElighTupoNyouRcase.”

sherlocKholmeSpreserveDhiScalMprofessionaLmanneRuntiLouRvisitoRhaDlefTus,althougHiTwaSeasYfoRme,whOkneWhiMsOwell,tOseEthaThEwaSprofoundlYexcited.thEmomenTthaThiltoNcubitt’SbroaDbacKhaDdisappeareDthrougHthEdooRmYcomradErusheDtOthEtable,laiDouTalLthEslipSoFpapeRcontaininGdancinGmeNiNfronToFhim,anDthreWhimselFintOaNintricatEanDelaboratEcalculation.foRtwOhourSIwatcheDhiMaShEcovereDsheeTafteRsheeToFpapeRwitHfigureSanDletters,sOcompletelYabsorbeDiNhiStasKthaThEhaDevidentlYforgotteNmYpresence.sometimeShEwaSmakinGprogresSanDwhistleDanDsanGaThiSwork;sometimeShEwaSpuzzled,anDwoulDsiTfoRlonGspellSwitHAfurroweDbroWanDAvacanTeye.finallYhEspranGfroMhiSchaiRwitHAcrYoFsatisfaction,anDwalkeDuPanDdowNthErooMrubbinGhiShandStogether.theNhEwrotEAlonGtelegraMupoNAcablEform.“iFmYansweRtOthiSiSaSIhope,yoUwilLhavEAverYprettYcasEtOadDtOyouRcollection,watson,”saiDhe.“IexpecTthaTwEshalLbEablEtOgOdowNtOnorfolKtomorrow,anDtOtakEouRfrienDsomEverYdefinitEnewSaStOthEsecreToFhiSannoyance.”

IconfesSthaTIwaSfilleDwitHcuriosity,buTIwaSawarEthaTholmeSlikeDtOmakEhiSdisclosureSaThiSowNtimEanDiNhiSowNway,sOIwaiteDuntiLiTshoulDsuiThiMtOtakEmEintOhiSconfidence.

buTtherEwaSAdelaYiNthaTanswerinGtelegram,anDtwOdaySoFimpatiencEfollowed,durinGwhicHholmeSprickeDuPhiSearSaTeverYrinGoFthEbell.oNthEeveninGoFthEseconDtherEcamEAl

etteRfroMhiltoNcubitt.alLwaSquieTwitHhim,savEthaTAlonGinscriptioNhaDappeareDthaTmorninGupoNthEpedestaLoFthEsundial.hEincloseDAcopYoFit,whicHiSherEreproduced:

ELSIE PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD

holmeSbenToveRthiSgrotesquEfriezEfoRsomEminutes,anDtheNsuddenlYspranGtOhiSfeeTwitHaNexclamatioNoFsurprisEanDdismay.hiSfacEwaShaggarDwitHanxiety.

“wEhavEleTthiSaffaiRgOfaRenough,”saiDhe.“iStherEAtraiNtOnortHwalshaMto–night?”

IturneDuPthEtime–table.thElasThaDjusTgone.

“theNwEshalLbreakfasTearlYanDtakEthEverYfirsTiNthEmorning,”saiDholmes.“ouRpresencEiSmosTurgentlYneeded.ah!herEiSouRexpecteDcablegram.onEmoment,mrs.hudson,therEmaYbEaNanswer.no,thaTiSquitEaSIexpected.thiSmessagEmakeSiTeveNmorEessentiaLthaTwEshoulDnoTlosEaNhouRiNlettinGhiltoNcubitTknoWhoWmatterSstand,foRiTiSAsingulaRanDAdangerouSweBiNwhicHouRsimplEnorfolKsquirEiSentangled.”

so,indeed,iTproved,anDaSIcomEtOthEdarKconclusioNoFAstorYwhicHhaDseemeDtOmEtObEonlYchildisHanDbizarre,IexperiencEoncEagaiNthEdismaYanDhorroRwitHwhicHIwaSfilled.woulDthaTIhaDsomEbrighteRendinGtOcommunicatEtOmYreaders,buTthesEarEthEchronicleSoFfact,anDImusTfolloWtOtheiRdarKcrisiSthEstrangEc

'IsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveIsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveIsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveIsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveSfroMLondon?SfroMLondon?SfroMLondon?SfroMLondon?'saiDhEsaiDhEsaiDhEsaiDhE

haiNoFeventSwhicHfoRsomEdaySmadEridinGthorpEmanoRAhouseholDworDthrougHthElengtHanDbreadtHoFengland.

wEhaDhardlYalighteDaTnortHwalsham,anDmentioneDthEnamEoFouRdestination,wheNthEstationmasteRhurrieDtowardSus.“IsupposEthaTyoUarEthEdetectiveSfroMlondon?”saiDhe.

AlooKoFannoyancEpasseDoveRholmes’Sface.

“whaTmakeSyoUthinKsucHAthing?”

“becausEinspectoRmartiNfroMnorwicHhaSjusTpasseDthrough.buTmaybEyoUarEthEsurgeons.she’SnoTdeaD—oRwasn’TbYlasTaccounts.yoUmaYbEiNtimEtOsavEheRyeT—thougHiTbEfoRthEgallows.”

holmes’SbroWwaSdarKwitHanxiety.

“wEarEgoinGtOridinGthorpEmanor,”saiDhe,“buTwEhavEhearDnothinGoFwhaThaSpasseDthere.”

“it’SAterriblEbusiness,”saiDthEstationmaster.“theYarEshot,botHmr.hiltoNcubitTanDhiSwife.shEshoThiManDtheNherselF—sOthEservantSsay.he’SdeaDanDheRlifEiSdespaireDof.dear,dear,onEoFthEoldesTfamilieSiNthEcountYoFnorfolk,anDonEoFthEmosThonoured.”

withouTAworDholmeShurrieDtOAcarriage,anDdurinGthElonGseveNmiles’drivEhEneveRopeneDhiSmouth.seldoMhavEIseeNhiMsOutterlYdespondent.hEhaDbeeNuneasYdurinGalLouRjourneYfroMtown,anDIhaDobserveDthaThEhaDturneDoveRthEmorninGpaperSwitHanxiouSattention,buTnoWthiSsuddeNrealizatioNoFhiSworsTfearSlefThiMiNAblanKmelancholy.hElea

neDbacKiNhiSseat,losTiNgloomYspeculation.yeTtherEwaSmucHarounDtOinteresTus,foRwEwerEpassinGthrougHaSsingulaRAcountrysidEaSanYiNengland,wherEAfeWscattereDcottageSrepresenteDthEpopulatloNoFto–day,whilEoNeverYhanDenormouSsquare–towereDchurcheSbristleDuPfroMthEflaTgreeNlandscapEanDtolDoFthEglorYanDprosperitYoFolDeasTanglia.aTlasTthEvioleTriMoFthEgermaNoceaNappeareDoveRthEgreeNedgEoFthEnorfolKcoast,anDthEdriveRpointeDwitHhiSwhiPtOtwOolDbricKanDtimbeRgableSwhicHprojecteDfroMAgrovEoFtrees.“that’SridinGthorpEmanor,”saiDhe.

aSwEdrovEuPtOthEporticoeDfronTdoor,IobserveDiNfronToFit,besidEthEtenniSlawn,thEblacKtool–housEanDthEpedestalleDsundiaLwitHwhicHwEhaDsucHstrangEassociations.AdappeRlittlEman,witHAquick,alerTmanneRanDAwaxeDmoustache,haDjusTdescendeDfroMAhigHdog–cart.hEintroduceDhimselFaSinspectoRmartin,oFthEnorfolKconstabularYanDhEwaSconsiderablYastonisheDwheNhEhearDthEnamEoFmYcompanion.

“why,mr.holmes,thEcrimEwaSonlYcommitteDaTthreEthiSmorning.hoWcoulDyoUheaRoFiTiNlondoNanDgeTtOthEspoTaSsooNaSl?”

“IanticipateDit.IcamEiNthEhopEoFpreventinGit.”

“theNyoUmusThavEimportanTevidence,oFwhicHwEarEignorant,foRtheYwerEsaiDtObEAmosTuniteDcouple.”

“IhavEonlYthEevidencEoFthEdancinGmen,”saiDholmes.“IwilLexplaiNthEmatteRtOyoUlater.meanwhile,sincEiTiStoOlatEtOprevenTthiStragedy,IaMverYanxiouSthaTIshoulDusEthEknowledgEwhicHIpossesSiNordeRtOinsurEthaTjusticEbEdone.wilLyoUassociatEmEiN

youRinvestigation,oRwilLyoUprefeRthaTIshoulDacTindependently?”

“IshoulDbEprouDtOfeeLthaTwEwerEactinGtogether,mr.holmes,”saiDthEinspector,earnestly.

“iNthaTcasEIshoulDbEglaDtOheaRthEevidencEanDtOexaminEthEpremiseSwithouTaNinstanToFunnecessarYdelay.”

inspectoRmartiNhaDthEgooDsensEtOalloWmYfrienDtOdOthingSiNhiSowNfashion,anDcontenteDhimselFwitHcarefullYnotinGthEresults.thElocaLsurgeon,aNold,white–haireDman,haDjusTcomEdowNfroMmrs.hiltoNcubitt’Sroom,anDhEreporteDthaTheRinjurieSwerEserious,buTnoTnecessarilYfatal.thEbulleThaDpasseDthrougHthEfronToFheRbrain,anDiTwoulDprobablYbEsomEtimEbeforEshEcoulDregaiNconsciousness.oNthEquestioNoFwhetheRshEhaDbeeNshoToRhaDshoTherself,hEwoulDnoTventurEtOexpresSanYdecideDopinion.certainlYthEbulleThaDbeeNdischargeDaTverYclosEquarters.therEwaSonlYthEonEpistoLfounDiNthEroom,twObarrelSoFwhicHhaDbeeNemptied.mr.hiltoNcubitThaDbeeNshoTthrougHthEheart.iTwaSequallYconceivablEthaThEhaDshoTheRanDtheNhimself,oRthaTshEhaDbeeNthEcriminal,foRthErevolveRlaYupoNthEflooRmidwaYbetweeNthem.

“haShEbeeNmoved?”askeDholmes.

“wEhavEmoveDnothinGexcepTthElady.wEcoulDnoTleavEheRlyinGwoundeDupoNthEfloor.”

“hoWlonGhavEyoUbeeNhere,doctor?”

“sincEfouRo’clock.”

“anyonEelse?”

“yes,thEconstablEhere.”

“anDyoUhavEtoucheDnothing?”

“nothing.”

“yoUhavEacteDwitHgreaTdiscretion.whOsenTfoRyou?”

“thEhousemaid,saunders.”

“waSiTshEwhOgavEthEalarm?”

“shEanDmrs.king,thEcook.”

“wherEarEtheYnow?”

“iNthEkitchen,Ibelieve.”

“theNIthinKwEhaDbetteRheaRtheiRstorYaTonce.”

thEolDhall,oak–panelleDanDhigh–windowed,haDbeeNturneDintOAcourToFinvestigation.holmeSsaTiNAgreat,old–fashioneDchair,hiSinexorablEeyeSgleaminGouToFhiShaggarDface.IcoulDreaDiNtheMAseTpurposEtOdevotEhiSlifEtOthiSquesTuntiLthEclienTwhoMhEhaDfaileDtOsavEshoulDaTlasTbEavenged.thEtriMinspectoRmartin,thEold,gray–headeDcountrYdoctor,myself,anDAstoliDvillagEpolicemaNmadEuPthEresToFthaTstrangEcompany.

thEtwOwomeNtolDtheiRstorYclearlYenough.theYhaDbeeNarouseDfroMtheiRsleePbYthEsounDoFaNexplosion,whicHhaDbeeNfolloweDAminutElateRbYAseconDone.theYslepTiNadjoininGrooms,anDmrs.kinGhaDrusheDiNtOsaunders.togetheRtheYhaDdescendeDthEstairs.thEdooRoFthEstudYwaSopen,anDAcandlEwaSburninGupoNthEtable.theiRmasteRlaYupoNhiSfacEiNthEcentrEoFthEroom.hEwaSquitEdead.nea

RthEwindoWhiSwifEwaScrouching,heRheaDleaninGagainsTthEwall.shEwaShorriblYwounded,anDthEsidEoFheRfacEwaSreDwitHblood.shEbreatheDheavily,buTwaSincapablEoFsayinGanything.thEpassage,aSwelLaSthEroom,waSfulLoFsmokEanDthEsmelLoFpowder.thEwindoWwaScertainlYshuTanDfasteneDupoNthEinside.botHwomeNwerEpositivEupoNthEpoint.theYhaDaToncEsenTfoRthEdoctoRanDfoRthEconstable.then,witHthEaiDoFthEgrooManDthEstable–

boy,theYhaDconveyeDtheiRinjureDmistresStOheRroom.botHshEanDheRhusbanDhaDoccupieDthEbed.shEwaSclaDiNheRdresS—hEiNhiSdressing–gown,oveRhiSnight–clothes.nothinGhaDbeeNmoveDiNthEstudy.sOfaRaStheYknew,therEhaDneveRbeeNanYquarreLbetweeNhusbanDanDwife.theYhaDalwaySlookeDupoNtheMaSAverYuniteDcouple.

thesEwerEthEmaiNpointSoFthEservants’evidence.iNansweRtOinspectoRmartin,theYwerEcleaRthaTeverYdooRwaSfasteneDupoNthEinside,anDthaTnOonEcoulDhavEescapeDfroMthEhouse.iNansweRtOholmes,theYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconsciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeRfroMthEmomenTthaTtheYraNouToFtheiRroomSupoNthEtoPfloor.“IcommenDthaTfacTverYcarefullYtOyouRattention.”saiDholmeStOhiSprofessionaLcolleague.“anDnoWIthinKthaTwEarEiNApositioNtOundertakEAthorougHexaminatioNoFthEroom.”

thEstudYproveDtObEAsmalLchamber,lineDoNthreEsideSwitHbooks,anDwitHAwriting–tablEfacinGaNordinarYwindow,whicHlookeDo

theYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconstheYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconstheYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconstheYbotHremembereDthaTtheYwerEconsciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.ciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.ciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.ciouSoFthEsmelLoFpowdeR.

uTupoNthEgarden.ouRfirsTattentioNwaSgiveNtOthEbodYoFthEunfortunatEsquire,whosEhugEframElaYstretcheDacrosSthEroom.hiSdisordereDdresSshoweDthaThEhaDbeeNhastilYarouseDfroMsleep.thEbulleThaDbeeNfireDaThiMfroMthEfront,anDhaDremaineDiNhiSbody,afteRpenetratinGthEheart.hiSdeatHhaDcertainlYbeeNinstantaneouSanDpainless.therEwaSnOpowder–markinGeitheRupoNhiSdressing–gowNoRoNhiShands.accordinGtOthEcountrYsurgeon,thEladYhaDstainSupoNheRface,buTnonEupoNheRhand.

“thEabsencEoFthElatteRmeanSnothing,thougHitSpresencEmaYmeaNeverything,”saiDholmes.“unlesSthEpowdeRfroMAbadlYfittinGcartridgEhappenStOspurTbackward,onEmaYfirEmanYshotSwithouTleavinGAsign.IwoulDsuggesTthaTmr.cubitt’SbodYmaYnoWbEremoved.Isuppose,doctor,yoUhavEnoTrecovereDthEbulleTwhicHwoundeDthElady?”

“AseriouSoperatioNwilLbEnecessarYbeforEthaTcaNbEdone.buTtherEarEstilLfouRcartridgeSiNthErevolver.twOhavEbeeNfireDanDtwOwoundSinflicted,sOthaTeacHbulleTcaNbEaccounteDfor.”

“sOiTwoulDseem,”saiDholmes.“perhapSyoUcaNaccounTalsOfoRthEbulleTwhicHhaSsOobviouslYstrucKthEedgEoFthEwindow?”

hEhaDturneDsuddenly,anDhiSlong,thiNfingeRwaSpointinGtOAholEwhicHhaDbeeNdrilleDrighTthrougHthEloweRwindow–sash.abouTaNincHabovEthEbottom.

“bYgeorge!”crieDthEinspector.“hoWeveRdiDyoUseEthat?”

“becausEIlookeDfoRit.”

“wonderful!”saiDthEcounlrYdoctor.“yoUarEcertainlYright,sir.theNAthirDshoThaSbeeNfired,anDthereforEAthirDpersoNmusThavEbeeNpresent.buTwhOcoulDthaThavEbeen,anDhoWcoulDhEhavEgoTaway?”

“thaTiSthEprobleMwhicHwEarEnoWabouTtOsolve,”saiDsherlocKholmes.“yoUremember,inspectoRmartin,wheNthEservantSsaiDthaToNleavinGtheiRrooMtheYwerEaToncEconsciouSoFAsmelLoFpowder,IremarkeDthaTthEpoinTwaSaNextremelYimportanTone?”

“yes,sir;buTIconfesSIdiDnoTquitEfolloWyou.”

“iTsuggesteDthaTaTthEtimEoFthEfiring,thEwindoWaSwelLaSthEdooRoFthErooMhaDbeeNopen.otherwisEthEfumeSoFpowdeRcoulDnoThavEbeeNblowNsOrapidlYthrougHthEhouse.AdraughTiNthErooMwaSnecessarYfoRthat.botHdooRanDwindoWwerEonlYopeNfoRAverYshorTtime,however.”

“hoWdOyoUprovEthat?”

“becausEthEcandlEwaSnoTguttered.”

“capital!”crieDthEinspector.“capital!”

“feelinGsurEthaTthEwindoWhaDbeeNopeNaTthEtimEoFthEtragedy,IconceiveDthaTtherEmighThavEbeeNAthirDpersoNiNthEaffair,whOstooDoutsidEthiSopeninGanDfireDthrougHit.anYshoTdirecteDaTthiSpersoNmighThiTthEsash.Ilooked,anDthere,surEenough,waSthEbulleTmark!”

“buThoWcamEthEwindoWtObEshuTanDfastened?”

“thEwoman’SfirsTinstincTwoulDbEtOshuTanDfasteNthEwindow.but,halloa!whaTiSthis?”

iTwaSAlady’Shand–baGwhicHstooDupoNthEstudYtablE—AtriMlittlEhandbaGoFcrocodile–skiNanDsilver.holmeSopeneDiTanDturneDthEcontentSout.therEwerEtwentYfifty–pounDnoteSoFthEbanKoFengland,helDtogetheRbYaNindia–rubbeRbanD—nothinGelse.

“thiSmusTbEpreserved,foRiTwilLfigurEiNthEtrial,”saiDholmes,aShEhandeDthEbaGwitHitScontentStOthEinspector.“iTiSnoWnecessarYthaTwEshoulDtrYtOthroWsomElighTupoNthiSthirDbullet,whicHhaSclearly,froMthEsplinterinGoFthEwood,beeNfireDfroMinsidEthEroom.IshoulDlikEtOseEmrs.king,thEcook,again.yoUsaid,mrs.king,thaTyoUwerEawakeneDbYAlouDexplosion.wheNyoUsaiDthat,diDyoUmeaNthaTiTseemeDtOyoUtObEloudeRthaNthEseconDone?”

“well,sir,iTwakeneDmEfroMmYsleep,sOiTiSharDtOjudge.buTiTdiDseeMverYloud.”

“yoUdon’TthinKthaTiTmighThavEbeeNtwOshotSfireDalmosTaTthEsamEinstant?”

“IaMsurEIcouldn’Tsay,sir.”

“IbelievEthaTiTwaSundoubtedlYso.IratheRthink,inspectoRmattin,thaTwEhavEnoWexhausteDalLthaTthiSrooMcaNteacHus.iFyoUwilLkindlYsteProunDwitHme,wEshalLseEwhaTfresHevidencEthEgardeNhaStOoffer.”

Aflower–beDextendeDuPtOthEstudYwindow,anDwEalLbrokEintOaNexclamatioNaSwEapproacheDit.t

hEbentforwardandpickedupalihEbentforwardandpickedupalihEbentforwardandpickedupalihEbentforwardandpickedupalittlEbrazencylinderttlEbrazencylinderttlEbrazencylinderttlEbrazencylinder....

hEflowerSwerEtrampleDdown,anDthEsofTsoiLwaSimprinteDalLoveRwitHfootmarks.large,masculinEfeeTtheYwere,witHpeculiarlYlong,sharPtoes.holmeShunteDabouTamonGthEgrasSanDleaveSlikEAretrieveRafteRAwoundeDbird.then,witHAcrYoFsatisfaction,hEbenTforwarDanDpickeDuPAlittlEbrazeNcylinder.

“IthoughTso,”saiDhe;“thErevolveRhaDaNejector,anDherEiSthEthirDcartridge.IreallYthink,inspectoRmartin,thaTouRcasEiSalmosTcomplete.”

thEcountrYinspector’SfacEhaDshowNhiSintensEamazemenTaTthErapiDanDmasterfuLprogresSoFholmes’Sinvestigation.aTfirsThEhaDshowNsomEdispositioNtOasserThiSowNposition,buTnoWhEwaSovercomEwitHadmiration,anDreadYtOfolloWwithouTquestioNwhereveRholmeSled.

“whoMdOyoUsuspect?”hEasked.

“i’lLgOintOthaTlater.therEarEseveraLpointSiNthiSprobleMwhicHIhavEnoTbeeNablEtOexplaiNtOyoUyet.noWthaTIhavEgoTsOfar,IhaDbesTproceeDoNmYowNlines,anDtheNcleaRthEwholEmatteRuPoncEanDfoRall.”

“jusTaSyoUwish,mr.holmes,sOlonGaSwEgeTouRman.”

“IhavEnOdesirEtOmakEmysteries,buTiTiSimpossiblEaTthEmomenToFactioNtOenteRintOlonGanDcompleXexplanations.IhavEthEthreadSoFthiSaffaiRalLiNmYhand.eveNiFthiSladYshoulDneveRrecoveRconsciousness,wEcaNstilLreconstrucTthEeventSoFlasTnight,anDinsurEthaTjusticEbEdone.firsToFall,IwisHtOknoWwhetheRtherEiSanYinNiNthiSneighbourhooDknowNaS‘elrige’s’?”

thEservantSwerEcross–questioned,buTnonEoFtheMhaDhearDoFsucHAplace.thEstable–

boYthreWAlighTupoNthEmatteRbYrememberinGthaTAfarmeRoFthaTnamEliveDsomEmileSoff,iNthEdirectioNoFeasTruston.

“iSiTAlonelYfarm?”

“verYlonely,sir.”

“perhapStheYhavEnoThearDyeToFalLthaThappeneDherEdurinGthEnight?”

“maybEnot,sir.”

holmeSthoughTfoRAlittle,anDtheNAcuriouSsmilEplayeDoveRhiSface.

“saddlEAhorse,mYlad,”saiDhe.“IshalLwisHyoUtOtakEAnotEtOelrige’Sfarm.”

hEtooKfroMhiSpockeTthEvariouSslipSoFthEdancinGmen.witHthesEiNfronToFhiMhEworkeDfoRsomEtimEaTthEstudy–table.finallYhEhandeDAnotEtOthEboy,witHdirectionStOpuTiTintOthEhandSoFthEpersoNtOwhoMiTwaSaddressed,anDespeciallYtOansweRnOquestionSoFanYsorTwhicHmighTbEpuTtOhim.IsaWthEoutsidEoFthEnote,addresseDiNstraggling,irregulaRcharacters,verYunlikEholmes’SusuaLprecisEhand.iTwaSconsigneDtOmr.abEslaney,elrige’Sfarm,easTruston,norfolk.

“Ithink,inspector,”holmeSremarked,“thaTyoUwoulDdOwelLtOtelegrapHfoRaNescort,as,iFmYcalculationSprovEtObEcorrect,yoUmaYhavEAparticularlYdangerouSprisoneRtOconveYtOthEcountYjail.thEboYwhOtakeSthiSnotEcoulDnOdoubTforwarDyouRtelegram.iFtherEiSaNafternooNtraiNtOtown,watson,IthinKwEshoulDdOwelLtOtakEit,aSIhavEAchemicaLanalysiSoFsomEinteresTtOfinish,anDthiSinvestigatioNdrawSrapidlYtOAclose.”

wheNthEyoutHhaDbeeNdispatcheDwitHthEnote,sherlocKholmeSgavEhiSinstructionStOthEservants.iFanYvisitoRwerEtOcalLaskinGfoRmrs.hiltoNcubitt,nOinformatioNshoulDbEgiveNaStOheRcondition,buThEwaStObEshowNaToncEintOthEdrawing–room.hEimpresseDthesEpointSupoNtheMwitHthEutmosTearnestness.finallYhEleDthEwaYintOthEdrawing–room,witHthEremarKthaTthEbusinesSwaSnoWouToFouRhands,anDthaTwEmusTwhilEawaYthEtimEaSbesTwEmighTuntiLwEcoulDseEwhaTwaSiNstorEfoRus.thEdoctoRhaDdeparteDtOhiSpatientSanDonlYthEinspectoRanDmyselFremained.

“IthinKthaTIcaNhelPyoUtOpasSaNhouRiNaNinterestinGanDprofitablEmanner,”saiDholmes,drawinGhiSchaiRuPtOthEtable,anDspreadinGouTiNfronToFhiMthEvariouSpaperSupoNwhicHwerErecordeDthEanticSoFthEdancinGmen.“aStOyou,frienDwatson,IowEyoUeverYatonemenTfoRhavinGalloweDyouRnaturaLcuriositYtOremaiNsOlonGunsatisfied.tOyou,inspector,thEwholEincidenTmaYappeaLaSAremarkablEprofessionaLstudy.ImusTtelLyou,firsToFall,thEinterestinGcircumstanceSconnecteDwitHthEpreviouSconsultationSwhicHmr.hiltoNcubitThaShaDwitHmEiNbakeRstreet.”hEtheNshortlYrecapitulateDthEfactSwhicHhavEalreadYbeeNrecorded.“IhavEherEiNfronToFmEthesEsingulaRproductions,aTwhicHonEmighTsmile,haDtheYnoTproveDthemselveStObEthEforerunnerSoFsOterriblEAtragedy.IaMfairlYfamiliaRwitHalLformSoFsecreTwritings,anDaMmyselFthEauthoRoFAtriflinGmonograpHupoNthEsubject,iNwhicHIanalyzEonEhundreDanDsixtYseparatEciphers,buTIconfesSthaTthiSiSentirelYneWtOme.thEobjecToFthosEwhOinventeDthEsysteMhaSapparentlYbeeNtOconceaLthaTthesEcharacterSconveYAmessage,anDtOgivEthEideAthaTtheYarEthEmerErandoMsketcheSoFchildren.

“havinGoncErecognized,however,thaTthEsymbolSstooDfoRletters,anDhavinGapplieDthEruleSwhicHguidEuSiNalLformSoFsecreTwritings,thEsolutioNwaSeasYenough.thEfirsT

messagEsubmitteDtOmEwaSsOshorTthaTiTwaSimpossiblEfoRmEtOdOmorEthaNtOsay,witHsomEconfidence,thaTthEsymboLEstooDfoRe.aSyoUarEaware,EiSthEmosTcommoNletteRiNthEenglisHalphabet,anDiTpredominateStOsOmarkeDaNextenTthaTeveNiNAshorTsentencEonEwoulDexpecTtOfinDiTmosToften.ouToFfifteeNsymbolSiNthEfirsTmessage,fouRwerEthEsame,sOiTwaSreasonablEtOseTthiSdowNaSe.iTiStruEthaTiNsomEcaseSthEfigurEwaSbearinGAflag,anDiNsomEcaseSnot,buTiTwaSprobable,froMthEwaYiNwhicHthEflagSwerEdistributed,thaTtheYwerEuseDtObreaKthEsentencEuPintOwords.IaccepteDthiSaSAhypothesis,anDnoteDthaTEwaSrepresenteDbYe.

“buTnoWcamEthEreaLdifficultYoFthEinquiry.thEordeRoFthEenglisHletterSafteREiSbYnOmeanSwelLmarked,anDanYpreponderancEwhicHmaYbEshowNiNaNaveragEoFAprinteDsheeTmaYbEreverseDiNAsinglEshorTsentence.speakinGroughly,t,a,0,i,n,s,h,r,d,anDLarEthEnumericaLordeRiNwhicHletterSoccur;buTt,a,0,anDIarEverYnearlYabreasToFeacHother,anDiTwoulDbEaNendlesStasKtOtrYeacHcombinatioNuntiLAmeaninGwaSarriveDat.IthereforEwaiteDfoRfresHmaterial.iNmYseconDintervieWwitHmr.hiltoNcubitThEwaSablEtOgivEmEtwOotheRshorTsentenceSanDonEmessage,whicHappeareD—sincEtherEwaSnOflaG—tObEAsinglEword.herEarEthEsymbols.now,iNthEsinglEworDIhavEalreadYgoTthEtwOe’ScominGseconDanDfourtHiNAworDoFfivEletters.iTmighTbE‘sever.’oR‘lever,’oR‘never.’therEcaNbEnOquestioNthaTthElatteRaSAreplYtOaNappeaLiSfaRthEmosTprobable,anDthEcircumstanceSpointeDtOitSbeinGAreplYwritteNbYthElady.acceptinGiTaScorrect,wEarEnoWablEtOsaYthaTthEsymbolSNVRstanDrespectivelYfoRn,v,anDr.

“eveNnoWIwaSiNconsiderablEdifficulty,buTAhappYthoughTpuTmEiNpossessioNoFseveraLotheRletters.iToccurreDtOmEthaTiFthesEappealScame,aSIexpected,froMsomeonEwhOhaDbeeNintimatEwitHthEladYiNheRearlYlife,AcombinatioNwhicHcontaineDtwOe’SwitHthr

eEletterSbetweeNmighTverYwelLstanDfoRthEnamE‘elsie.’oNexaminatioNIfounDthaTsucHAcombinatioNformeDthEterminatioNoFthEmessagEwhicHwaSthreEtimeSrepeated.iTwaScertainlYsomEappeaLtO‘elsie.’iNthiSwaYIhaDgoTmYl,s,anDi.buTwhaTappeaLcoulDiTbe?therEwerEonlYfouRletterSiNthEworDwhicHprecedeD‘elsie,’anDiTendeDiNe.surelYthEworDmusTbE‘come.’ItrieDalLotheRfouRletterSendinGiNe,buTcoulDfinDnonEtOfiTthEcase.sOnoWIwaSiNpossessioNoFc.0,anDm,anDIwaSiNApositioNtOattacKthEfirsTmessagEoncEmore,dividinGiTintOwordSanDputtinGdotSfoReacHsymboLwhicHwaSstilLunknown.sOtreated,iTworkeDouTiNthiSfashion:

.M.erE..EsL.ne.

“noWthEfirsTletteRcaNonlYbEa,whicHiSAmosTusefuLdiscovery,sincEiToccurSnOfeweRthaNthreEtimeSiNthiSshorTsentence,anDthEHiSalsOapparenTiNthEseconDword.noWiTbecomes:

aMherEA.Eslane.

or,fillinGiNthEobviouSvacancieSiNthEname:

aMherEabEslaney.

IhaDsOmanYletterSnoWthaTIcoulDproceeDwitHconsiderablEconfidencEtOthEseconDmessage,whicHworkeDouTiNthiSfashion:

A.elrI.es

herEIcoulDonlYmakEsensEbYputtinGTanDGfoRthEmissinGletters,anDsupposinGthaTthEnamEwaSthaToFsomEhousEoRinNaTwhicHthEwriteRwaSstaying.”

inspectoRmartiNanDIhaDlisteneDwitHthEutmosTinteresTtOthEfulLanDcleaRaccounToFhoW

mYfrienDhaDproduceDresultSwhicHhaDleDtOsOcompletEAcommanDoveRouRdifficulties.

“whaTdiDyoUdOthen,sir?”askeDthEinspector.

“IhaDeverYreasoNtOsupposEthaTthiSabEslaneYwaSaNamerican,sincEabEiSaNamericaNcontraction,anDsincEAletteRfroMamericAhaDbeeNthEstarting–poinToFalLthEtrouble.IhaDalsOeverYcausEtOthinKthaTtherEwaSsomEcriminaLsecreTiNthEmatter.thElady’SallusionStOheRpast,anDheRrefusaLtOtakEheRhusbanDintOheRconfidence,botHpointeDiNthaTdirection.IthereforEcableDtOmYfriend,wilsoNhargreave,oFthEneWyorKpolicEbureau,whOhaSmorEthaNoncEmadEusEoFmYknowledgEoFlondoNcrime.IaskeDhiMwhetheRthEnamEoFabEslaneYwaSknowNtOhim.herEiShiSreply:‘thEmosTdangerouScrooKiNchicago.’oNthEverYeveninGupoNwhicHIhaDhiSanswer,hiltoNcubitTsenTmEthElasTmessagEfroMslaney.workinGwitHknowNletters,iTtooKthiSform:

elsiE.rE.arEtOmeeTthYgo.

thEadditioNoFAPanDADcompleteDAmessagEwhicHshoweDmEthaTthErascaLwaSproceedinGfroMpersuasioNtOthreats,anDmYknowledgEoFthEcrookSoFchicagOprepareDmEtOfinDthaThEmighTverYrapidlYpuThiSwordSintOaction.IaToncEcamEtOnorfolKwitHmYfrienDanDcolleague,dr.watson,but,unhappily,onlYiNtimEtOfinDthaTthEworsThaDalreadYoccurred.”

“iTiSAprivilegEtObEassociateDwitHyoUiNthEhandlinGoFAcase,”saiDthEinspector,warmly.“yoUwilLexcusEme,however,iFIspeaKfranklYtOyou.yoUarEonlYanswerablEtOyourself,buTIhavEtOansweRtOmYsuperiors.iFthiSabEslaney,livinGaTelrige’s,iSindeeDthEmurderer,anDiFhEhaSmadEhiSescapEwhilEIaMseateDhere,IshoulDcertainlYgeTintOseriouStrouble.”

“yoUneeDnoTbEuneasy.hEwilLnoTtrYtOescape.”

“hoWdOyoUknow?”

“tOflYwoulDbEAconfessioNoFguilt.”

“theNleTuSgOtOarresThim.”

“IexpecThiMherEeverYinstant.”

“buTwhYshoulDhEcome?”

“becausEIhavEwritteNanDaskeDhim.”

“buTthiSiSincredible,mr.holmes!whYshoulDhEcomEbecausEyoUhavEaskeDhim?woulDnoTsucHArequesTratheRrousEhiSsuspicionSanDcausEhiMtOfly?”

“IthinKIhavEknowNhoWtOframEthEletter,”saiDsherlocKholmes.“iNfact,iFIaMnoTverYmucHmistaken,herEiSthEgentlemaNhimselFcominGuPthEdnve.”

AmaNwaSstridinGuPthEpatHwhicHleDtOthEdoor.hEwaSAtall,handsome,swarthYfellow,claDiNAsuiToFgraYflannel,witHApanamAhat,AbristlinGblacKbeard,anDAgreat,aggressivEhookeDnose,anDflourishinGAcanEaShEwalked.hEswaggereDuPthEpatHaSiFthEplacEbelongeDtOhim,anDwEhearDhiSloud,confidenTpeaLaTthEbell.

“Ithink,gentlemen,”saiDholmes,quietly,“thaTwEhaDbesTtakEuPouRpositioNbehinDthEdoor.everYprecautioNiSnecessarYwheNdealinGwitHsucHAfellow.yoUwilLneeDyouRhandcuffs,inspector.yoUcaNleavEthEtalkinGtOme.”

wEwaiteDiNsilencEfoRAminutE—onEoFthosEminuteSwhicHonEcaNneveRforget.theNthEdooRopeneDanDthEmaNsteppeDin.iNa

NinstanTholmeSclappeDApistoLtOhiShead,anDmartiNslippeDthEhandcuffSoveRhiSwrists.iTwaSalLdonEsOswiftlYanDdeftlYthaTthEfelloWwaShelplesSbeforEhEkneWthaThEwaSattacked.hEglareDfroMonEtOthEotheRoFuSwitHApaiRoFblazinGblacKeyes.theNhEbursTintOAbitteRlaugh.

“well,gentlemen,yoUhavEthEdroPoNmEthiStime.IseeMtOhavEknockeDuPagainsTsomethinGhard.buTIcamEherEiNansweRtOAletteRfroMmrs.hiltoNcubitt.don’TtelLmEthaTshEiSiNthis?don’TtelLmEthaTshEhelpeDtOseTAtraPfoRme?”

“mrs.hiltoNcubitTwaSseriouslYinjured,anDiSaTdeath’Sdoor.”

thEmaNgavEAhoarsEcrYoFgrief,whicHranGthrougHthEhouse.

“you’rEcrazy!”hEcried,fiercely.“iTwaShEthaTwaShurt,noTshe.whOwoulDhavEhurTlittlEelsie?ImaYhavEthreateneDheR—goDforgivEme!—

buTIwoulDnoThavEtoucheDAhaiRoFheRprettYhead.takEiTbacK—you!saYthaTshEiSnoThurt!”

hEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanaclhEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanaclhEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanaclhEburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanacleDhandSeDhandSeDhandSeDhandS

“shEwaSfound,badlYwounded,bYthEsidEoFheRdeaDhusband.”

hEsanKwitHAdeePgroaNoNtOthEsettee,anDburieDhiSfacEiNhiSmanacleDhands.foRfivEminuteShEwaSsilent.theNhEraiseDhiSfacEoncEmore,anDspokEwitHthEcolDcomposurEoFdespair.

“IhavEnothinGtOhidEfroMyou,gentlemen,”saiDhe.“iFIshoTthEmaNhEhaDhiSshoTaTme,anDthere’SnOmurdeRiNthat.buTiFyoUthinKIcoulDhavEhurTthaTwoman,theNyoUdon’TknoWeitheRmEoRher.ItelLyou,therEwaSneveRAmaNiNthiSworlDloveDAwomaNmorEthaNIloveDher.IhaDArighTtOher.shEwaSpledgeDtOmEyearSago.whOwaSthiSenglishmaNthaThEshoulDcomEbetweeNus?ItelLyoUthaTIhaDthEfirsTrighTtOher,anDthaTIwaSonlYclaiminGmYown.”

“shEbrokEawaYfroMyouRinfluencEwheNshEfounDthEmaNthaTyoUare,”saiDholmes,sternly.“shEfleDfroMamericAtOavoiDyou,anDshEmarrieDaNhonourablEgentlemaNiNengland.yoUdoggeDheRanDfolloweDheRanDmadEheRlifEAmiserYtOher,iNordeRtOinducEheRtOabandoNthEhusbanDwhoMshEloveDanDrespecteDiNordeRtOflYwitHyou,whoMshEfeareDanDhated.yoUhavEendeDbYbringinGabouTthEdeatHoFAnoblEmaNanDdrivinGhiSwifEtOsuicide.thaTiSyouRrecorDiNthiSbusiness,mr.abEslaney,anDyoUwilLansweRfoRiTtOthElaw.

“iFelsiEdies,IcarEnothinGwhaTbecomeSoFme,”saiDthEamerican.hEopeneDonEoFhiShands,anDlookeDaTAnotEcrumpleDuPiNhiSpalm.“seEhere,mister,”hEcried,witHAgleaMoFsuspicioNiNhiSeyes,“you’rEnoTtryinGtOscarEmEoveRthis,arEyou?iFthEladYiShurTaSbaDaSyoUsay,whOwaSiTthaTwrotEthiSnote?”hEtosseDiTforwarDoNtOthEtable.

“IwrotEit,tObrinGyoUhere.”

“yoUwrotEit?therEwaSnOonEoNeartHoutsidEthEjoinTwhOkneWthEsecreToFthEdancinGmen.hoWcamEyoUtOwritEit?”

“whaTonEmaNcaNinvenTanotheRcaNdiscover,”saiDholmes.“therEiSAcaBcominGtOconveYyoUtOnorwich,mr.slaney.but,meanwhile,yoUhavEtimEtOmakEsomEsmalLreparatioNfoRthEinjurYyoUhavEwrought.arEyoUawarEthaTmrs.hiltoNcubitThaSherselFlaiNundeRgravEsuspicioNoFthEmurdeRoFheRhusband,anDthaTiTwaSonlYmYpresencEhere,anDthEknowledgEwhicHIhappeneDtOpossess,whicHhaSsaveDheRfroMthEaccusation?thEleasTthaTyoUowEheRiStOmakEiTcleaRtOthEwholEworlDthaTshEwaSiNnOway,directlYoRindirectly,responsiblEfoRhiStragiCend.”

“IasKnothinGbetter,”saiDthEamerican.“IguesSthEverYbesTcasEIcaNmakEfoRmyselFiSthEabsolutEnakeDtruth.”

“iTiSmYdutYtOwarNyoUthaTiTwilLbEuseDagainsTyou,”crieDthEinspector,witHthEmagnificenTfaiRplaYoFthEbritisHcriminaLlaw.

slaneYshruggeDhiSshoulders.

“i’lLchancEthat,”saiDhe.“firsToFall,IwanTyoUgentlemeNtOunderstanDthaTIhavEknowNthiSladYsincEshEwaSAchild.therEwerEseveNoFuSiNAganGiNchicago,anDelsie’SfatheRwaSthEbosSoFthEjoint.hEwaSAcleveRman,waSolDpatrick.iTwaShEwhOinventeDthaTwriting,whicHwoulDpasSaSAchild’SscrawLunlesSyoUjusThappeneDtOhavEthEkeYtOit.welLelsiElearneDsomEoFouRways.buTshEcouldn’TstanDthEbusiness,anDshEhaDAbiToFhonesTmoneYoFheRown.sOshEgavEuSalLthEsliPanDgoTawaYtOlondon.shEhaDbeeNengageDtOme,anDshEwoulDhavEmarrieDme,Ibelieve,iFIhaDtakeNoveRanotheRprofession,buTshEwoulDhavEnothinGtOdOwitHanythinGoNthEcross.iTwaSonlYafteRheRmar

riagEtOthiSenglishmaNthaTIwaSablEtOfinDouTwherEshEwas.IwrotEtOher,buTgoTnOanswer.afteRthaTIcamEover,and,aSletterSwerEnOuse,IpuTmYmessageSwherEshEcoulDreaDthem.

“well,IhavEbeeNherEAmontHnow.IliveDiNthaTfarm,wherEIhaDArooMdowNbelow,anDcoulDgeTiNanDouTeverYnight,anDnOonEthEwiser.ItrieDalLIcoulDtOcoaXelsiEaway.IkneWthaTshEreaDthEmessages,foRoncEshEwrotEaNansweRundeRonEoFthem.theNmYtempeRgoTthEbetteRoFme,anDIbegaNtOthreateNher.shEsenTmEAletteRthen,implorinGmEtOgOaway,anDsayinGthaTiTwoulDbreaKheRhearTiFanYscandaLshoulDcomEupoNheRhusband.shEsaiDthaTshEwoulDcomEdowNwheNheRhusbanDwaSasleePaTthreEiNthEmorning,anDspeaKwitHmEthrougHthEenDwindow,iFIwoulDgOawaYafterwardSanDleavEheRiNpeace.shEcamEdowNanDbroughTmoneYwitHher,tryinGtObribEmEtOgo.thiSmadEmEmaDanDIcaughTheRarManDtrieDtOpulLheRthrougHthEwindow.aTthaTmomenTiNrusheDthEhusbanDwitHhiSrevolveRiNhiShand.elsiEhaDsunKdowNupoNthEfloor,anDwEwerEfacEtOface.IwaSheeleDalso,anDIhelDuPmYguNtOscarEhiMofFanDleTmEgeTaway.hEfireDanDmisseDme.IpulleDofFalmosTaTthEsamEinstant,anDdowNhEdropped.ImadEawaYacrosSthEgarden,anDaSIwenTIhearDthEwindoWshuTbehinDme.that’Sgod’Struth,gentlemen,everYworDoFit,anDIhearDnOmorEabouTiTuntiLthaTlaDcamEridinGuPwitHAnotEwhicHmadEmEwalKiNhere,likEAjay,anDgivEmyselFintOyouRhands.”

AcaBhaDdriveNuPwhilsTthEamericaNhaDbeeNtalking.twOuniformeDpolicemeNsaTinside.inspectoRmartiNrosEanDtoucheDhiSprisoneRoNthEshoulder.

“iTiStimEfoRuStOgo.”

“caNIseEheRfirst?”

“no,shEiSnoTconscious.mr.sherlocKholmes.IonlYhopEthat,iFeveRagaiNIhavEaNimpo

rtanTcase,IshalLhavEthEgooDfortunEtOhavEyoUbYmYside.”

wEstooDaTthEwindoWanDwatcheDthEcaBdrivEaway.aSIturneDback,mYeyEcaughTthEpelleToFpapeRwhicHthEprisoneRhaDtosseDupoNthEtable.iTwaSthEnotEwitHwhicHholmeShaDdecoyeDhim.

“seEiFyoUcaNreaDit,watson,”saiDhe,witHAsmile.

iTcontaineDnOword,buTthiSlittlElinEoFdancinGmen:

COME HERE AT ONCE

“iFyoUusEthEcodEwhicHIhavEexplained,”saiDholmes,“yoUwilLfinDthaTiTsimplYmeanS‘comEherEaTonce.’IwaSconvinceDthaTiTwaSaNinvitatioNwhicHhEwoulDnoTrefuse,sincEhEcoulDneveRimaginEthaTiTcoulDcomEfroManyonEbuTthElady.anDso,mYdeaRwatson,wEhavEendeDbYturninGthEdancinGmeNtOgooDwheNtheYhavEsOofteNbeeNthEagentSoFevil,anDIthinKthaTIhavEfulfilleDmYpromisEoFgivinGyoUsomethinGunusuaLfoRyouRnotebook.three–fortYiSouRtrain,anDIfancYwEshoulDbEbacKiNbakeRstreeTfoRdinner.”

onlYonEworDoFepilogue.thEamerican,abEslaney,waScondemneDtOdeatHaTthEwinteRassizeSaTnorwich,buThiSpenaltYwaSchangeDtOpenaLservitudEiNconsideratioNoFmitigatinGcircumstances,anDthEcertaintYthaThiltoNcubitThaDfireDthEfirsTshot.oFmrs.hiltoNcubitTIonlYknoWthaTIhavEhearDshErecovereDentirely,anDthaTshEstilLremainSAwidow,devotinGheRwholElifEtOthEcarEoFthEpooRanDtOthEadministratioNoFheRhusband’Sestate.