llar many a time since
you've been here. I guess that'll be about all from you."

The India merchant subsided, and Holmes turned to Billie Hicks. "Mr.
Hicks of Canada, what do you say about it?"

"Unquestionably the guilty man is that Russian scoundrel Ivan
Galetchkoff," replied Hicks, "he put pepper in the charlotte russe at
dinner on Sunday, and I nearly choked on it. A man who would do that
would steal sheep!"

"Well, Mr. Budd of Australia, we'll hear from you," said Holmes, as he
stretched out his arms and yawned.

"Sorry as I am to say it, Mr. Holmes, there stands the guilty wretch!"
and Mr. Budd pointed dramatically at the fidgeting and uneasy
Thorneycroft. "I saw him come out of the Earl's room late Sunday night
at an hour when all good citizens should be in bed."

"You're entirely mistaken, Budd, I assure you," said Thorneycroft
nervously. "I am as innocent as you are, and you know it. I just went
into His Lordship's room Sunday night to get my pocket-comb."

Holmes grinned as he looked at the secretary's more or less bald pate,
and said:

"I don't see what you want with a comb, Thorney. But we'll give your
alibi due consideration, nevertheless. Well, I guess I've questioned
everybody in the castle now, Your Lordship, including the mutual
admiration society formed by Harrigan, La Violette and Blumenroth."

And Holmes turned an inquiring countenance to the Earl.

"Er, well, not exactly, Holmes. You haven't interrogated the Countess
and myself," smiled the Earl.

"By George, that's right! Here, somebody, get the Countess in here."

In a moment the mistress of Normanstow Towers stood before us. She
gave a sniff of disdain as she looked at her brother-in-law, Lord
Launcelot.

"I beg pardon, Your Ladyship, but what do you know concerning this sad
affair?" asked Holmes politely,--that is to say, politely for him.

The Countess regarded Launcelot with a frown, as she replied:

"I am practically certain that the man who has brought this disgrace
upon our ancient family is Lord Launcelot, the Earl's own brother. He
was entirely in too much of a hurry to get away from here yesterday
morning to rush into London to tell you about it. He did it just to
cover up his own theft."

"These family jars do beat the dickens," said Holmes, scratching his
head in perplexity, while the Countess sailed out of the room, very
much on her dignity. "Your Lordship, what's your own opinion as to the
robbery?"

"Oh, good n