why there are men after him. He instead tries to pretend he is afraid they are unknown burglars, coming after the fortune he keeps in the chest at the foot of his bed (not trusting bankers). Holmes eventually leaves in disgust, advising Blessington that he cannot help him unless he tells the truth. However, Holmes has been able, by studying the footprints, to confirm the doctor's story and eliminate him as a suspect. It was the nobleman's son who twice entered the room, first while his father (most likely) pretended to have a cataleptic seizure the day before, then a second time while the doctor was kept busy consulting the father, leaving wet footprints since it was rather rainy outside that second day. However, Blessington had been out walking both times, inadvertently frustrating his enemies. The next morning, Holmes and Watson return to Brook Street at a summons from Trevelyan. Blessington has been found dead, having apparently hanged himself during the night. Holmes and Inspector Lanner of Scotland Yard examine the scene; Holmes is able to find convincing evidence (different brands of cigars/ash, footprints, tools left behind) that three intruders were in the house that night. Two of them are the supposed "Russian nobleman" and his son; the third is unknown. Signs indicate the trio were admitted into the house by a confederate, most likely the newly-hired page. They then held a sort of mock-judicial proceeding against Blessington, "condemned" him, hung him, and retreated, the confederate barring the door behind them. Taking a photograph of Blessington, Holmes leaves to consult Scotland Yard's files, and returns with the news that he has identified Blessington as Sutton, one of the five members of the Worthingdon Bank Gang. The others were Cartwright, Biddle, Hayward, and Moffat. After the gang had committed a massive robbery, Sutton betrayed his four comrades to the police to escape arrest himself. Cartright was hanged for murdering the bank's caretaker, and the other three got lengthy prison terms. Sutton changed his name to Blessington and moved in with Dr. Trevelyan to hide from them; his first panic had been when he read of their unexpectedly early release from prison. As he feared, they eventually hunted him down and murdered him, to avenge Cartwright. Sutton had been unable to tell Holmes the truth of the matter without admitting his own identity, something he was too frightened and ashamed to do.