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"The muscles are as hard as a board," I answered

"Quite so They are in a state of extreor mortis Coupled with this distortion of the face, this Hippocratic smile, or 'risus sardonicus,' as the old writers called it, what conclusion would it suggest to your etable alkaloid," I answered,--"some strychnine-like substance which would produce tetanus"

"That was the idea which occurred tointo the room I at once looked for the means by which the poison had entered the system As you saw, I discovered a thorn which had been driven or shot with no great force into the scalp You observe that the part struck was that which would be turned towards the hole in the ceiling if the man were erect in his chair Now exaerly and held it in the light of the lantern It was long, sharp, and black, with a glazed look near the point as though soummy substance had dried upon it The blunt end had been trilish thorn?" he asked

"No, it certainly is not"

"With all these data you should be able to draw soulars: so the auxiliary forces may beat a retreat"

As he spoke, the steps which had been coe, and a very stout, portly ray suit strode heavily into the room He was red-faced, burly and plethoric, with a pair of very s eyes which looked keenly out from between swollen and puffy pouches He was closely followed by an inspector in unifor Thaddeus Sholto

"Here's a business!" he cried, in a muffled, husky voice "Here's a pretty business! But who are all these? Why, the house seems to be as full as a rabbit-warren!"

"I think you must recollect me, Mr Athelney Jones," said Holmes, quietly

"Why, of course I do!" he wheezed "It's Mr Sherlock Holet how you lectured us all on causes and inferences and effects in the Bishopgate jewel case It's true you set us on the right track; but you'll o that it was uidance"

"It was a piece of very si"

"Oh, come, now, come! Never be ashamed to own up But what is all this? Bad business! Bad business! Stern facts here,--no room for theories How lucky that I happened to be out at Norwood over another case! I was at the station when the e arrived What d'you think the man died of?"