The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-26

high dog-eart He introduced him self as Inspector Martin of the Nor folk constabulary, and he was consid- erably astonished when he heard the name of my companion
 Why, MT. Holmes, the crime was only committed at three this morning. How could you hear of il in London and get to the spot as soon as I2'
 "I anticipated It. l came in the hope of preventing it
 Then you must have importance evidence of which we are ignorant for they were said to be a most united couple'
 "I have only the evidence of the dancing men," said Holmes. T will explain the matter to you later. Meanwhile. since it is too late to pre- vent this tragedy, 1 am very anxious that should use the knowledge which l possess in order to insure that jus tice be done. Will you associate me in your investigation, or will you prefer that l should act independently"
 T should be proud to feel that we were acting together, Mir Holmes," said the inspector, earnestly.
 Tn that case l should be glad to hear the evidence and to examine the
 
 essary delay"
 Inspector Martin had the good sense to allow my friend 70 do things in his own fashion, and contented himself with carefully noting the results. The local surgeon, an old white-haired man, had just come down from Mrs. Hilton Cubitt's room, and he reported that her inJul1es were serious, but not necessarily fatal The bullet had passed through the front of her brain, and it would probably be some time before she could regain consciousness. On the question of whether she had been shot or had shot herself, he would not venture to express any de- cided opinion. Certainly the bullet had been discharged at very close quarters. There was only the one pistol found in the room two barrels of which had been emptied. Mr. Hil- ton Cubitt had been shot through the heart. It was equally conceivable that he had shot her and then himself, or that she had been the criminal, for the revolver lay upon the floor mid way between them.
 Has he been moYed?" asked Holmes. "We have moved nothing except the lady We could not leave her lying wounded upon the floor" How long have you been here, doc tor?"
 Since four o'clock"
 Anyone else?"
 "Yes, the constable here"
 And you have touched nothing?" Nothing"
 You have acted with great discre- tion Who sent for you? "The housemaid, Saunders"
 Was it she who gave the alaun?" "She and Mrs. King the cook"
 Where are they now?"
 "In the kitchen, l believe"
 "Then I think we has beti hear their story at once"
 The old hall, oak-panelled and high widowed, had been turned into court of investigation. Holmes sat in a great, old-fashioned chair, his mex orable eyes gleaming out of his hag- gard fate. I could read in them set purpose to devote his life to this quest until the client whom he had failed to save should at last b. avenged. The trim Inspector Martin, the old, grey-headed country doctor, myself, and stolid village policeman made up the rest of that strange company. The two women told their story clearly enough. They had been aroused from their sleep by the sound of an explosion, which had been fol- lowed a minute later by a second one. They slept in adjoining rooms, and Mrs. King had rushed in to Saunders.