ecret which was casting a shadow over my life. I vowed that,
come what might, it should be a secret no longer. I did not even knock
when I reached it, but turned the handle and rushed into the passage.

"It was all still and quiet upon the ground-floor. In the kitchen a
kettle was singing on the fire, and a large black cat lay coiled up in a
basket, but there was no sign of the woman whom I had seen before. I ran
into the other room, but it was equally deserted. Then I rushed up the
stairs, but only to find two other rooms empty and deserted at the top.
There was no one at all in the whole house. The furniture and pictures
were of the most common and vulgar description save in the one chamber
at the window of which I had seen the strange face. That was comfortable
and elegant, and all my suspicions rose into a fierce, bitter blaze when
I saw that on the mantelpiece stood a full-length photograph of my wife,
which had been taken at my request only three months ago.

"I stayed long enough to make certain that the house was absolutely
empty. Then I left it, feeling a weight at my heart such as I had never
had before. My wife came out into the hall as I entered my house, but I
was too hurt and angry to speak with her, and pushing past her I made my
way into my study. She followed me, however, before I could close the
door.

"'I am sorry that I broke my promise, Jack,' said she, 'but if you knew
all the circumstances I am sure that you would forgive me.'

"'Tell me everything, then,' said I.

"'I cannot, Jack, I cannot!' she cried.

"'Until you tell me who it is that has been living in that cottage, and
who it is to whom you have given that photograph, there can never be any
confidence between us,' said I, and breaking away from her I left the
house. That was yesterday, Mr. Holmes, and I have not seen her since,
nor do I know anything more about this strange business. It is the first
shadow that has come between us, and it has so shaken me that I do not
know what I should do for the best. Suddenly this morning it occurred to
me that you were the man to advise me, so I have hurried to you now, and
I place myself unreservedly in your hands. If there is any point which I
have not made clear, pray question me about it. But above all tell me
quickly what I have to do, for this misery is more than I can bear."

[Illustration: "'TELL ME EVERYTHING,' SAID I."]

Holmes and I had listened with the utmost interest to this extrao