To this recital our three visitors listened in utter bewilderment, as, indeed did I also; for I could not conceive in what way my adventures could possibly be related to the affairs of the late Mr.Blackmore.This was manifestly the view taken by Mr.Marchmont, for, during a pause in which the chart was handed to him, he remarked somewhat stiffly: "I am assuming, Dr.Thorndyke, that the curious story you are telling us has some relevance to the matter in which we are interested." "You are quite correct in your assumption," replied Thorndyke.

"The story is very relevant indeed, as you will presently be convinced." "Thank you," said Marchmont, sinking back once more into his chair with a sigh of resignation.
"A few days ago," pursued Thorndyke, "Dr.Jervis and I located, with the aid of this chart, the house to which he had been called.

We found that the late tenant had left somewhat hurriedly and that the house was to let; and, as no other kind of investigation was possible, we obtained the keys and made an exploration of the premises." Here he gave a brief account of our visit and the conditions that we observed, and was proceeding to furnish a list of the articles that we had found under the grate, when Mr.Winwood started from his chair.
"Really, sir!" he exclaimed, "this is too much! Have I come here, at great personal inconvenience, to hear you read the inventory of a dust-heap ?" Thorndyke smiled benevolently and caught my eye, once more, with a gleam of amusement.
"Sit down, Mr.Winwood," he said quietly.

"You came here to learn the facts of the case, and I am giving them to you.

Please don't interrupt needlessly and waste time." Winwood stared at him ferociously for several seconds; then, somewhat disconcerted by the unruffled calm of his manner, he uttered a snort of defiance, sat down heavily and shut himself up again.
"We will now," Thorndyke continued, with unmoved serenity, "consider these relics in more detail, and we will begin with this pair of spectacles.