The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-02-22

these things cannot be done too promptly. I have jotted down the form here. if you would not mind signing it. Fifty pound was quite
 'I would willingly give five hum dred,'' said the J. F., taking the slip of paper and the pencil which Holmes handed to him. This is not quite correct, however" he added. glanc- ing over the document
 1T wrote it rather hurriedly'
 You see you begin, Whereas, at about quarter to one on Tuesday morning e.n attempt was made,' and so on. It was at a quarter to twelve, as a matter of fact
 I was pained at the mistake for knew how keenly Holmes would feel any slip of the kind. It was his spe- cialty to be accurate as to fact, but his recent illness had shaken him, and this one little incident was enough to show me that he was still far from being himself. He was obviously embarrassed for an instant, while the Inspector raised his eye brows, and Alec Cunningham burst into a laugh. The old gentleman corrected the mistake, however, and handed the paper back to Holmes.
 'EGet it printed as soon as possible,'' g he said; ''I think your idea is an ex- ceIlent one.''
 Holmes put the slip of paper care- fully away into his pocketbook-
 And now,'' said he, fit really would be a good thing that we should all go over the house together and make certain that this rather cratic bur glar did not, after all, carry anything away with him.
 Before entering, Holmes made an examination of the door which had been forced It was evident that a chiSe1 or strong knife had been thrust in, and the lock forced back with it. We could see the marks in the wood | +, l.,
 ~You don't use bars, then ' he asked.
 'ewe have never found it neces- sary;"
 ''Yes, but he is chained on the -oth- CT side of the house.
 When do the servants go to bed ?''
 About ten.'' k
 s'I understand that William vas tsYes,
 'It is singular that on this partfc- ular night he should have been up. Now, I should be very glad if you would have the kindness to show us over the house, MT. Cunningham
 A stone-f1agged passage, with the kitchens branching away from It, led by wooden staircase directly to the first floor of the house. It came out ond more ornamental stair which came up firm the front hall Out Of this landing opened the drawing room and several bedrooms, including those of MT. Cunningham and his son. Holmes walked slowly, taking keen note of the architecture of the house. I could tell from his express sion that he was on a hot scent, and yet I could not in the least imagine in what direction his inferences were leading him.
 My good sir" said MT. Cunning ham, with some impatience, this is surely very unnecessary. That IS my room at the end of the stairs, and my sons is the one beyond it. 1 leave it to your judgment whether it was possible for the thief to have come up here without disturbing us."
 You must try round and get on a fresh scent, fancy" said the son with a. rather malicious smile.
 Still. must ask you to humor me a little further. I should like, for ex- ample, to sees how far the windows of the bedrooms command the front. This, I understand, is your sons room'-he pushed open the door "and that, presume, is the dressing room in which he sat smoking when the alarm was given. Where does the window of that look out to?" He stepped across the bedroom, pushed open the door. and glanced round the other chamber.
 tI hope that you are satisfied now?'' said r. sCunninghan,s startly
 Thank you. I think I have seen all that I wished"
 'sThen If it is really necessary we