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still consecrated ground。 We opened such a coffin； removed the
contents； and placed her as you have seen her。 As to the old relics
which we took out； we could not leave them on the floor of the
crypt。 Norlett and I removed them； and he descended at night and
burned them in the central furnace。 There is my story； Mr。 Holmes；
though how you forced my hand so that I have to tell it is more than I
can say。〃
Holmes sat for some time lost in thought。
〃There is one flaw in your narrative； Sir Robert；〃 he said at
last。 〃Your bets on the race； and therefore your hopes for the future；
would hold good even if your creditors seized your estate。〃
〃The horse would be part of the estate。 What do they care for my
bets？ As likely as not they would not run him at all。 My chief
crediter is； unhappily； my most bitter enemy… a rascally fellow； Sam
Brewer； whom I was once compelled to horsewhip on Newmarket Heath。
Do you suppose that he would try to save me？〃
〃Well； Sir Robert；〃 said Holmes； rising； 〃this matter must； of
course； be referred to the police。 It was my duty to bring the facts
to light； and there I must leave it。 As to the morality or decency
of your conduct； it is not for me to express an opinion。 It is
nearly midnight； Watson； and I think we may make our way back to our
humble abode。〃
It is generally known now that this singular episode ended upon a
happier note than Sir Robert's actions deserved。 Shoscombe Prince
did win the Derby； the sporting owner did net eighty thousand pounds
in bets； and the creditors did hold their hand until the race was
over； when they were paid in full； and enough was left to
reestablish Sir Robert in a fair position in life。 Both police and
coroner took a lenient view； of the transaction； and beyond a mild
censure for the delay in registering the lady's decease； the lucky
owner got away scatheless from this strange incident in a career which
has now outlived its shadows and promises to end in an honoured old
age。
…THE END…
。