re experienced than yourself."

"I'm the first to admit that," said the detective heartily. "You get to
your point, I admit; but you have such a deuced round-the-corner way of
doing it."

"Well, well, I'll drop past history and get down to present-day facts.
I called last night, as I have already said, at the Manor House. I did
not see either Barker or Mrs. Douglas. I saw no necessity to disturb
them; but I was pleased to hear that the lady was not visibly pining
and that she had partaken of an excellent dinner. My visit was
specially made to the good Mr. Ames, with whom I exchanged some
amiabilities, which culminated in his allowing me, without reference to
anyone else, to sit alone for a time in the study."

"What! With that?" I ejaculated.

"No, no, everything is now in order. You gave permission for that, Mr.
Mac, as I am informed. The room was in its normal state, and in it I
passed an instructive quarter of an hour."

"What were you doing?"

"Well, not to make a mystery of so simple a matter, I was looking for
the missing dumb-bell. It has always bulked rather large in my estimate
of the case. I ended by finding it."

"Where?"

"Ah, there we come to the edge of the unexplored. Let me go a little
further, a very little further, and I will promise that you shall share
everything that I know."

"Well, we're bound to take you on your own terms," said the inspector;
"but when it comes to telling us to abandon the case--why in the name
of goodness should we abandon the case?"

"For the simple reason, my dear Mr. Mac, that you have not got the
first idea what it is that you are investigating."

"We are investigating the murder of Mr. John Douglas of Birlstone
Manor."

"Yes, yes, so you are. But don't trouble to trace the mysterious
gentleman upon the bicycle. I assure you that it won't help you."

"Then what do you suggest that we do?"

"I will tell you exactly what to do, if you will do it."

"Well, I'm bound to say I've always found you had reason behind all
your queer ways. I'll do what you advise."

"And you, Mr. White Mason?"

The country detective looked helplessly from one to the other. Holmes
and his methods were new to him. "Well, if it is good enough for the
inspector, it is good enough for me," he said at last.

"Capital!" said Holmes. "Well, then, I should recommend a nice, cheery
country walk for both of you. They tell me that the views from
Birlstone Ridge over the Weald are very rem