“A second solution was at this stage obviously possible, and although I thought it exceedingly unlikely, I was determined to elucidate it before going further.  An unsuccessful lover might have killed Mr. and Mrs. Browner, and the male ear might have belonged to the husband.  There were many grave objections to this theory, but it was conceivable.  I therefore sent off a telegram to my friend Algar, of the Liverpool force, and asked him to find out if Mrs. Browner were at home, and if Browner had departed in the May Day.  Then we went on to Wallington to visit Miss Sarah.

“I was curious, in the first place, to see how far the family ear had been reproduced in her.  Then, of course, she might give us very important information, but I was not sanguine that she would.  She must have heard of the business the day before, since all Croydon was ringing with it, and she alone could have understood for whom the packet was meant.  If she had been willing to help justice she would probably have communicated with the police already.  However, it was clearly our duty to see her, so we went.  We found that the news of the arrival of the packet—­ for her illness dated from that time—­had such an effect upon her as to bring on brain fever.  It was clearer than ever that she understood its full significance, but equally clear that we should have to wait some time for any assistance from her.

“However, we were really independent of her help.  Our answers were waiting for us at the police-station, where I had directed Algar to send them.  Nothing could be more conclusive.  Mrs. Browner’s house had been closed for more than three days, and the neighbours were of opinion that she had gone south to see her relatives.  It had been ascertained at the shipping offices that Browner had left aboard of the May Day, and I calculate that she is due in the Thames tomorrow night.  When he arrives he will be met by the obtuse but resolute Lestrade, and I have no doubt that we shall have all our details filled in.”

Sherlock Holmes was not disappointed in his expectations.  Two days later he received a bulky envelope, which contained a short note from the detective, and a typewritten document, which covered several pages of foolscap.

“Lestrade has got him all right,” said Holmes, glancing up at me.  “Perhaps it would interest you to hear what he says.

“My dear Mr. Holmes: 

In accordance with the scheme which we had formed in order to test our theories” ["the ‘we’ is rather fine, Watson, is it not?”] “I went down to the Albert Dock yesterday at 6 p.m., and boarded the S.S.  May Day, belonging to the Liverpool, Dublin, and London Steam Packet Company.  On inquiry, I found that there was a steward on board of the name of James Browner and that he had acted during the voyage in such an extraordinary manner that the captain had been compelled to relieve him of his duties.  On descending to his berth, I found