III. In Quest of a Solution

           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.