erected against the end wall, and the stone-work had been broken into, but

there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked

slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the

outsides of the windows.


“This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the

centre one to your sister’s, and the one next to the main building to Dr.

Roylott’s chamber?”


“Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one.”


“Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does not

seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall.”


“There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my

room.”


“Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wing runs

the corridor from which these three rooms open. There are windows in it, of

course?”


“Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass through.”


“As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unapproachable

from that side. Now, would you have the kindness to go into your room and bar

your shutters?”


Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination through the open

window, endeavoured in every way to force the shutter open, but without

success. There was no slit through which a knife could be passed to raise the

bar. Then with his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron,

built firmly into the massive masonry. “Hum!” said he, scratching

his chin in some perplexity, “my theory certainly presents some

difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were bolted. Well, we

shall see if the inside throws any light upon the matter.”


A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the three

bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third chamber, so we passed at

once to the second, that in which Miss Stoner was now sleeping, and in which