Dear me, Watson, this is really very singular.According to my experience it is not possible to reach theplatform of a Metropolitan train without exhibiting one's ticket.Presumably, then, the young man had one. Was it taken from himin order to conceal the station from which he came? It ispossible. Or did he drop it in the carriage? That is alsopossible. But the point is of curious interest. I understandthat there was no sign of robbery?

The trains which traverse the lines of rail beside which thebody was found are those which run from west to east, some beingpurely Metropolitan, and some from Willesden and outlyingjunctions. It can be stated for certain that this young man,when he met his death, was travelling in this direction at somelate hour of the night, but at what point he entered the train itis impossible to state.

The head was badly crushed--aninjury which might well have been caused by a fall from thetrain. The body could only have come on the line in that way.Had it been carried down from any neighbouring street, it musthave passed the station barriers, where a collector is alwaysstanding. This point seems absolutely certain.

Judging by its effect upon my brother, I should think it must bea most extraordinary one. He snuggled down in his armchair.Now, Watson, let us have the facts.The man's name was Arthur Cadogan West. He was twenty-sevenyears of age, unmarried, and a clerk at Woolwich Arsenal.

There has been an inquest, said I, and a good many fresh factshave come out. Looked at more closely, I should certainly saythat it was a curious case.