Then he laid upon the table a long, deadly, sheathed knife.
Finally he unravelled a bundle of clothing, comprising a complete set of
underclothes, socks, a gray tweed suit, and a short yellow overcoat.

"The clothes are commonplace," remarked Holmes, "save only the overcoat,
which is full of suggestive touches." He held it tenderly towards the
light. "Here, as you perceive, is the inner pocket prolonged into the
lining in such fashion as to give ample space for the truncated fowling
piece. The tailor's tab is on the neck--'Neal, Outfitter, Vermissa,
U.S.A.' I have spent an instructive afternoon in the rector's library,
and have enlarged my knowledge by adding the fact that Vermissa is a
flourishing little town at the head of one of the best known coal and
iron valleys in the United States. I have some recollection, Mr. Barker,
that you associated the coal districts with Mr. Douglas's first wife,
and it would surely not be too far-fetched an inference that the V.V.
upon the card by the dead body might stand for Vermissa Valley, or that
this very valley which sends forth emissaries of murder may be that
Valley of Fear of which we have heard. So much is fairly clear. And
now, Mr. Barker, I seem to be standing rather in the way of your
explanation."

It was a sight to see Cecil Barker's expressive face during this
exposition of the great detective. Anger, amazement, consternation, and
indecision swept over it in turn. Finally he took refuge in a somewhat
acrid irony.

"You know such a lot, Mr. Holmes, perhaps you had better tell us some
more," he sneered.

"I have no doubt that I could tell you a great deal more, Mr. Barker;
but it would come with a better grace from you."

"Oh, you think so, do you? Well, all I can say is that if there's any
secret here it is not my secret, and I am not the man to give it away."

"Well, if you take that line, Mr. Barker," said the inspector quietly,
"we must just keep you in sight until we have the warrant and can hold
you."

"You can do what you damn please about that," said Barker defiantly.

The proceedings seemed to have come to a definite end so far as he was
concerned; for one had only to look at that granite face to realize that
no peine forte et dure would ever force him to plead against his will.
The deadlock was broken, however, by a woman's voice. Mrs. Douglas had
been standing listening at the half opened door, and now she entered the
room.

"You have done enough fo