others, who were in the act of entering.  I stepped back, but the fellow was on me in an instant.  He caught me first by the wrist and then by the throat.  I opened my mouth to scream, but he struck me a savage blow with his fist over the eye, and felled me to the ground.  I must have been unconscious for a few minutes, for when I came to myself, I found that they had torn down the bell-rope, and had secured me tightly to the oaken chair which stands at the head of the dining-table.  I was so firmly bound that I could not move, and a handkerchief round my mouth prevented me from uttering a sound.  It was at this instant that my unfortunate husband entered the room.  He had evidently heard some suspicious sounds, and he came prepared for such a scene as he found.  He was dressed in nightshirt and trousers, with his favourite blackthorn cudgel in his hand.  He rushed at the burglars, but another—­it was an elderly man—­stooped, picked the poker out of the grate and struck him a horrible blow as he passed.  He fell with a groan and never moved again.  I fainted once more, but again it could only have been for a very few minutes during which I was insensible.  When I opened my eyes I found that they had collected the silver from the sideboard, and they had drawn a bottle of wine which stood there.  Each of them had a glass in his hand.  I have already told you, have I not, that one was elderly, with a beard, and the others young, hairless lads.  They might have been a father with his two sons.  They talked together in whispers.  Then they came over and made sure that I was securely bound.  Finally they withdrew, closing the window after them.  It was quite a quarter of an hour before I got my mouth free.  When I did so, my screams brought the maid to my assistance.  The other servants were soon alarmed, and we sent for the local police, who instantly communicated with London.  That is really all that I can tell you, gentlemen, and I trust that it will not be necessary for me to go over so painful a story again.”

“Any questions, Mr. Holmes?” asked Hopkins.

“I will not impose any further tax upon Lady Brackenstall’s patience and time,” said Holmes.  “Before I go into the dining-room, I should like to hear your experience.”  He looked at the maid.

“I saw the men before ever they came into the house,” said she.  “As I sat by my bedroom window I saw three men in the moonlight down by the lodge gate yonder, but I thought nothing of it at the time.  It was more than an hour after that I heard my mistress scream, and down I ran, to find her, poor lamb, just as she says, and him on the floor, with his blood and brains over the room.  It was enough to drive a woman out of her wits, tied there, and her very dress spotted with him, but she never wanted courage, did Miss Mary Fraser of Adelaide and Lady Brackenstall of Abbey Grange hasn’t learned new ways.  You’ve questioned her long enough, you gentlemen, and now she is coming to her own room, just with her old Theresa, to get the rest that she badly needs.”