Itwashalf-pastfivebeforeHolmesreturned.Hewasbright,eager,andinexcellentspirits,—amoodwhichinhiscasealternatedwithfitsoftheblackestdepression.
“Thereisnogreatmysteryinthismatter,”hesaid,takingthecupofteawhichIhadpouredoutforhim.“Thefactsappeartoadmitofonlyoneexplanation.”
“What!youhavesolveditalready?”
“Well,thatwouldbetoomuchtosay.Ihavediscoveredasuggestivefact,thatisall.Itis,however,verysuggestive.Thedetailsarestilltobeadded.Ihavejustfound,onconsultingthebackfilesoftheTimes,thatMajorSholto,ofUpperNorword,lateofthe34thBombayInfantry,dieduponthe28thofApril,1882.”
“Imaybeveryobtuse,Holmes,butIfailtoseewhatthissuggests.”
“No?Yousurpriseme.Lookatitinthisway,then.CaptainMorstandisappears.TheonlypersoninLondonwhomhecouldhavevisitedisMajorSholto.MajorSholtodenieshavingheardthathewasinLondon.FouryearslaterSholtodies.WithinaweekofhisdeathCaptainMorstan’sdaughterreceivesavaluablepresent,whichisrepeatedfromyeartoyear,andnowculminatesinaletterwhichdescribesherasawrongedwoman.Whatwrongcanitrefertoexceptthisdeprivationofherfather?AndwhyshouldthepresentsbeginimmediatelyafterSholto’sdeath,unlessitisthatSholto’sheirknowssomethingofthemysteryanddesirestomakecompensation?Haveyouanyalternativetheorywhichwillmeetthefacts?”
“Butwhatastrangecompensation!Andhowstrangelymade!Why,too,shouldhewritealetternow,ratherthansixyearsago?Again,theletterspeaksofgivingherjustice.Whatjusticecanshehave?Itistoomuchtosupposethatherfatherisstillalive.Thereisnootherinjusticeinhercasethatyouknowof.”
“Therearedifficultiestherearecertainlydifficulties,”saidSherlockHolmes,pensively.“Butoure