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vanished over the side into the water。 It had hardly gone before
Holmes was kneeling beside tile stonework； and a joyous cry showed
that he had found what he expected。
〃Was there ever a more exact demonstration？〃 he cried。 〃See； Watson；
your revolver has solved the problem！〃 As he spoke he pointed to a
second chip of the exact size and shape of the first which had
appeared on the under edge of the stone balustrade。
〃We'll stay at the inn to…night；〃 he continued as he rose and
faced the astonished sergeant。 〃You will； of course； get a
grappling…hook and you will easily restore my friend's revolver。 You
will also find beside it the revolver； string and weight with which
this vindictive woman attempted to disguise her own crime and to
fasten a charge of murder upon an innocent victim。 You can let Mr。
Gibson know that I will see him in the morning； when steps can be
taken for Miss Dunbar's vindication。〃
Late that evening； is we sat together smoking our pipes in the
village inn； Holmes gave me a brief review of what had passed。
〃I fear； Watson；〃 said he； 〃that you will not improve any reputation
which I may have acquired by adding the case of the Thor Bridge
mystery to your annals。 I have been sluggish in mind and wanting in
that mixture of imagination and reality which is the basis of my
art。 I confess that the chip in the stonework was a sufficient clue to
suggest the true solution； and that I blame myself for not having
attained it sooner。
〃It must be admitted that the workings of this unhappy woman's
mind were deep and subtle； so that it was no very simple matter to
unravel her plot。 I do not think that in our adventures we have ever
come across a stranger example of what perverted love can bring about。
Whether Miss Dunbar was her rival in a physical or in a merely
mental sense seems to have been equally unforgivable in her eyes。 No
doubt she blamed this innocent lady for all those harsh dealings and
unkind words with which her husband tried to repel her too
demonstrative affection。 Her first resolution was to end her own life。
Her second was to do it in such a way as to involve her victim in a
fate which was worse far than any sudden death could be。
〃We can follow the various steps quite clearly； and they show a
remarkable subtlety of mind。 A note was extracted very cleverly from
Miss Dunbar which would make it appear that she had chosen the scene
of the crime。 In her anxiety that it should be discovered she somewhat
overdid it by holding it in her hand to the last。 This alone should
have excited my suspicions earlier than it did。
〃Then she took one of her husband's revolvers… there was； as you
saw； an arsenal in the house… and kept it for her own use。 A similar
one she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe after
discharging one barrel； which she could easily do in the woods without
attracting attention。 She then went down to the bridge where she had
contrived this exceedingly ingenious method for getting rid of her
weapon。 When Miss Dunbar appeared she used her last breath in
pouring out her hatred； and then； when she was out of hearing； carried
out her terrible purpose。 Every link is now in its place and the chain
is complete。 The papers may ask why the mere was not dragged in the
first instance； but it is easy to be wise after the event； and in
any case the expanse of a reed…filled lake is no easy matter to drag
unless you have a clear perception of what you are looking for and
where。 Well； Watson； we have helped a remarkable woman； and also a
formidable man。 Should they in the future join their forces； as
seems not unlikely； the financial world may find that Mr。 Neil
Gibson has learned something in that schoolroom of sorrow where our
earthly lessons are taught。〃
THE END
。