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

I'away just to the left of that bush. So did the son. They are both sure of it on account of the bush. Then MT. Alec ran out and knelt beside the wounded man. The ground is very hard, you see, and there are no marks to guide us-'' As he spoke two men came down the garden path, from round the angle of the house. The one was an elderly man, with a strong, deep-Hned, heavy-eyed face; the other dashing young fellow whose bright, smiling expression and showy dress were in strange contrast with the business which had brought us there.
 Still at it, then?" said he to Holmes. TT thought you ,Londoners were never at fault. You don't seem to be so very quick. after all" "Ah, you must give us a little time,'' said Holmes, good humoredly. You'll want it, said young Alec Cunningham. ''Why, I don't see that we have any clue at aH.'' There's only one," answered the Inspector. we thought that if we could only find-Good heavens, Mr. Holmes! what is the matter?" My poor friends face had suddenly assumed the most dreadful expression. His eyes rolled upwards, his features writhed in agony, and with a sup upon the ground. Mortified at the suddenness and severity of the attack, we carried him into the kitchen, where he lay back in a large chair, and breathed heavily for some minutes. Finally, with shamefaced apology for his weakness, he rose once more. Watson would tell you that I have 1 only just recovered from a severe ill., ness," he explained. "I am liable to | these sudden nervous attacks Shall I send you home in my
 trap ?'' asked old Cunningham. Well, since am here, there is one point on which I should like to feel sure. We can very easily verify it.'' What was it?''
 Well, it seems to me that it is just possible that the arrival of this poor fellow William was not before, but after, the entrance of the burglar in for granted that, although the door was forced, the robber never got in'' 1T fancy that is quite obvious said Mr. Cunningham, gravely. Why, my and he would certainly have heard any one moving about" Where was he sitting?" 'I was smoking in my dressing room."
 Which window is that?" 'The last on the left, next my fathers
 Both of your lamps were lit, of course?''
 Undoubtedly"
 points here," said Holmes, smiling. "Is it not extraordinary that a burglar and burglar who had had some previous experience should deliber- ate1y break into a house at a time when he could see from the Hgbts that two of the family were still afoot?''
 He must have been a cool hand"
 wen, of course, if the case were
 not an odd one we should not have been driven to ask you for an ex- pIanatfon," said young MT. Alec. But as to your ideas that the man had robbed the house before William tackled sim, I think it most ab- surd notion. Wouldn't we have found the place disarranged, and missed the things which he had taken?''
 It depends on what the things were" said Holmes. You must re-
 member that we are dealing with a burglar who is very peculiar fellow, and who appears to work on lines of his own. Look, for example, at the queer lot of things which he took from Acton's-what was it?-a ball of string, letter-weight,- and I don't know what other odds and ends,
 'fWell, we are quite in your hands MT. Holnes," said old Cunningham'
 Anything which you or the Inspector may suggest will most certainly be done"
 "In the first place." said Holmes. 'I should like you to offer q reward coming from yourself for the off, cials may take a little time before they would agree upon the sum. and