The Red Cloud chief., 1893-12-15
THE RED CLOUD CHIEF, RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, DEC. Is, 1893.

had time to examine this room vet,
but with your permission | shall do so
now"
As he spoke he whipped q tape
measure and a large, round magnify
ing glass from his pocket. With these
two instruments he trotted noisclessly
about the room, sometimes stopping,
occasionally knecling, and once lying
fiat on his face. SO engrosscd was he
with his occupation that he appeared
to have forgotten our presence, for he
chartered away to himself under his
breath the whole time, keeping up a
running fire of ordinations, groans,
whistles, and little cries suggestive of
encouragement and hope. As I
watched him I was irrcsistibly re-
minded of q purc-blooded, well-traincd
fox-hound rs IL dashes backward and
forward through the covert, whining
In its eagcrncss, until IL comes across
the lost scent. For twenty minutes or
more he continued his researches,
measuring with the most exact ARE
the distance between marks which
were entirely invisible to me, and occa-
%sionally applying his tape to the walls
in an equally incolnprchensible man
ncr. In one place he gathered very
carefully "a little pile Of gray dust from
the floor and packed it away in an
envelope. Finally he examined with
his glass the words upon the wall, go-
ing over every letter of it with the
most minute cxactness. This dnuc, he
appeared TO be satisfied, for he re-
placed the tape and glass in his pocket.
"Thcy say that genius is an infinite
capacity for taking pains" he remarked
with n smile. "It's q very bad defni-
ton, but it does apply to detective
work"
Grcgson and Lestradc had watched
the maneuvcrs of their amateur COM
panion with considerable curiosity and
some contempt. They evidently failed
TO appreciate the fact, which ! had be-
gun to realize, that Sherlock Holmes
smallest actions were all directed to-
ward some definite and practical end.
what do you think of it?" they
both asked.
ut would be robbing you of the
credit of the case il l was to presume
to help you," remarked my friend.
"You are doing SO we'll now that it
would be a pity for anyone to inter
fcre." There was a world Of sarcasm
in his voice, as he spoke. 'If you will
let me know how your Investigations
GO" he continued, IL shall be happy
to give you any help I can. In the
meantime, ! should like to speak Ia
the constable who found the body.
Can you give me his name and adj
dress?"
Lestrade glanced at his notebook.
"John Rance" he said. "He is of
duty now. You will find him Mt Al
Audley court, Remington park gate
Holmes took a note of the address.
"Comc along, doctor" he said; 1--WE
shall go and look him up. I'll tell yor
one thing which may help you in the
case" he continued, turning to the
two detectives. There has beer
murder done, and the murderer was q
man. lie was more than six feet high
was in the prime of life, had small fee
for his height, wore coarse, square
toed boots and smoked a Trichinopol,
cigar. lie came mere WIN HIS NlCtiH
in IL four-wheeled cab, which wa
drawn by IA horse with three old shoe
and one new one on his of fore-leg
In all probability the murderer had
ford face, and the tinger-nails of hi
right hand were remarkably long
These are only n few indications, blu
they may assist you"
Lcstrade and Gregson glanced a
each other with an incredulous smile
IF this man was murdered, hov
was 1t done?" asked the former.
POISON" said Sherlock Holmes, curt
ly, and strobe off. zone other thing
Lestradc," he added, turning round a
the door; "'Rache' is the German 70
~'revcnge;' so don't lose your time look
ing for Miss Rachel"
With which Parthian shot he Wake,
away, leaving the two rivals open
mouthed behind him.