The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-13
tContinued from saturdayD

I should say, that it was unusual for such men to leave a bottle half emp ty How do all these unusuals strike you, Watson ?''
 Their cumulative effect is cer- tainly considerable, and yet each Of them is quite possible in itself. The most unusual thing of all, as it seems to me. is that the lady should be tied to the chair
 Well, I am not so clear about
 they must either kill her or else secure her in such a way that she could not give immediate notice Of their escape. But at any rate is a certain element of improbability about the lady's story? And now, on the top of this, comes the incl dent of the wineglasses."
 What about the wine g1asses?" asked
 Can you see them in your mind S
 eye?"
 1T see them clearly"
 we are told that three men drank
 from them. Does that strike you as
 likely?"
 Why not? There was wine in each glass"
 Exactly but there was beeswing
 only in one glass. You must have
 noticed that fact. What does that
 suggest to your mind? ?"
 '+The last glass filled would be most likely to contain beeswing-"
 Not at all. The bottle was full of
 it, and it is inconceiva;bIe that the
 first two glasses were clear and the third heavily charged with it. There
 are two possible explanations, and
 only two. One is that after the sec ond glass was filled the bottle was violently agitated and so the third glass received the beeswing. That does not appear probable. No, no, am sure that I am right"
 
 That only two glasses were used, and that the dregs of both were
 poured into d third glass, so as to give the false impression that three people had been here. In that way all the beeswing would be in the last glass, would it not? Yes, l am con Yinced that this is so. But If have hit upon the true explanation of this one small phenonmenon, then in an instant the case rises from the com monplace to the exceedingly remarka- bIe, for it can only mean that Lady Bra ckenstalI and her maid have de- word of their story is to be believed, that they have some very strong req son for covering the real criminal, and that we must construct our case | for ourselves without any help from | them. That is the mission which now lies before us. and here, Watson, is the Sydenham train-'
 The household at the Abbey Grange were much surprised at our return. but Sherlock Holmes, finding that Stanley Hopkins had gone off to report to headquarters, took posses sion of the dining-room, locked the door upon the inside, and devoted himself for two hours to one of those minute and laborious investigations which form the solid basis on which his brilliant edifiCeS of deduction were reared. Seated in q corner like an interested student who observes the demonstration of his professor, l followed every step of that remarka- ble research. The window, the cur tains. the carpet, the chair, the rope each in turn was minUtely examin- ed duly pondered. The body of the unfortunate baronet had been re- moved, and all else remained as we had seen it in the morning Finally, to my astonishment, Holmes climbed up on to the massive mantelpiece. Far above his head hung the few inches of red cord which were stlIl attached to the wire. For long time he sazed upwards at it, and then in an attempt to get nearer to il he rested his knee upon a wooden bracket on the wall. This brought his hand within q few inches of the | broken end of the rope but it was not this 50 much as the bracket it. self which seemed to engage his at tention. Finally, he sprang down with an ejaculation of satisfaction Its all right Watson" said he. we have got our case-One of the most remarkable in our collection But, dear me, how slow-witted l have been, and how nearly I have commit ted the blunder of my lifetime! Now, I think that. with 9 few missing links my chain is almost complete" You have got your mem"
 Man, Watson, man. Only one, but very formidable person Strong as a uon-witness the blow that bent that poker Six foot three in height active as a squirrel. deXterous with his fingers, finally, remarkably quick witted, for this whole ingenious story is of his connection. Yes. Wat son, we have come upon the handi- work of 2 very remarkable individual And yet. in that bell-rope, he has given us a clue which should not have left US a doubt"
 'fwhcre was the clue Q" Well, if you were to pull down a belI-rope, Watson. where would you
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