The Press., 1895-05-02
THE SIGN OF THE FOUR.
By A. CONAN DOYI,R,
CHAPTER III.

l. was half past 5 before Holmes re- turned. He was bright, eager and in ex- cellent spirits-a mead which in his case alternated with fits of the blackest depres- sion.
 "There is no great mystery in this mat ter, '' he said, taking the cup of tea which I had poured out for him. "The facts appear to admit of only one explanation. ''
 What! Have you solved it already"
 ''Well, that will be too much to say. have discovered a suggestive fact, that is all. It is, however, vefT suggestive. The details are still to be added I have just found, on consulting the back files of The 1 Times, that Major Sholto of Upper Nor infantry, died upon the 2Sth of April, 18Ss."
 II may be very obtuso, Holmes, but ] fail to see what this suggests"
 No? You surprise me. Look at it in this way, then. Captain Morstan disap- pears. The only person in London whom l he could have visited is Major Sholto. Major Sholto denies having heard that he was in London. Four years later Sholto dies Within a week of his death Captain Morstan's daughter receives a valuable present, which is repeated from year to year and now culminatcs in letter which l describes her as a WrOnged woman. What wrong can it refer to except this depriva- tion of her father? And why should the presents begin immediately after Sholto s death unless it is that Sholto's heir knows something of the mystery and desires to make compensation? Have you any alter native theory which will meet the facts?" But what H strange compensation! And how strangely made! Why, too, should he write a letter now rather than six years ago? Again, the letter speaks of giving her justice. What justice can she have? It is too much to suppose that her father is still alive There is no other injustice in her case that yuu know of.
 There are difficulties, there are cer- tainly difficulties, " said Sherlock Holmes pensively But our expedition of tonight will solve them all. An, here is four wheeler, and Miss MOrstan is inside Are you all ready? Then we had better go down, for it is little past the hour"
 1 picked up my hat and my heaviest stick, but I observed that Holmes took his revolver from his drawer and slipped it into his pocket. It was clear that he thought that our nights work might be a serious one
 Miss MOrstan was muffied in a dark cloak, and her sensitive face was compos
 
 than woman if she did not feel some un easiness at the strange enterprise upon which we were Gmbarking, yet her self control was perfect and sine readily an swered the few additional questions which Sherlock Holmes put to her.
 Major ShOlto was a very particular friend of papa's," she said His letters were full of allusions to the major. He and papa were i'll command of the troops at the Andaman islands, so they were thrown q great deal together. By the way, a curious paper was found in papa's dosk which no one could understand. l don't suppose that it is of the slightest impor tance, but l thought you might care to see , it, so 1 brought it with me- It is here. "
 Holmes unfolded the paper carefully and smoothcd it out upon his knee. He then very methodically examined it all over with his double lens.
 It is paper of native Indian manufac ture, ," he remarked. It has at some time been pinned to board. The dia gram upon it appears to be plan of part of large building with numerous halls corridors and passages. At one point is a small crosS Gnnc in red ink, and above it