The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-06-28
BY CONAN DOYLE.
Chapter III-(centinuedl

Ch0ntSr 1Ak-tOOmt1nuSu1
A short passage, bare planked and
dusty, led to the kitchen and offices.
Two doors opened out of 1t to the left
and to the right One of these had OBJ
viously been closed for many weeks.
The other belonged to the dining-room,
which was the apartment in which the
mysterious affair had occurred. Holmes
walked in. and followed him with that
subdued feeling at my heart which the
presence of death inspires.
1t was large square room, looking
all the larger from the absence of all
furniture A vulgar, faIing paper
adorned the walls, but it was blotched
in places with mildew, and here and
there great strips had become detached
and hung down, exposing the yellow
plaster beneath. Opposite the door was
snowy fireplace, surmounted by a
mantel-piece of imitation white marble.
On one corner of this was stuck the
stump of red wax candle. The soli-
tary window was so dirty that the light
was hazy and uncertain, giving dull
gray tinge to everything, which was
intensified by the thick layer of dust
which coated the whole apartment
All these details / observed after
ward. At present my attention was
conferred upon the single, grim, notion
less figure which lay stretched upon the
boards with vacant sightless eyes star
ing up at the discolored ceiling, 1t was
that of man about forty three or forty
four years of age, middle-sized, broad
shouldered, with crisp, curling black
hair and short stubby beard. He was
dressed in heavy broadcloth frock
coat and waistcoat, with light-colored
trousers, and immaculate collar and
cuffs. A top hat, well brushed and
trim, was placed upon the floor beside
him. His hands were clinched and his
arms thrown abroad, while his lower
limbs were interlocked as though his
death struggle had been grievous one.
On his rigid face there stood an express
sion of horror and, as 1t seemd to me,
of hatred, such as / have never seen
upon human features. This malignant
and terrible contortion combined with
the low forehead blunt nose, and prog
nathous jaw, gave the dead man sing
ularly SIMMONS and ape-like appear
ance which was increased by his writh-
ing unnatural posture. / have seen
death in many forms, but never has it
appeared to me In q more fearSonle as
pect than in that dark, grinly apart
ment, which looked out upon one of the
main arteries of suburban London.
Lestrade. lean and ferret-like as ever,
was standing by the doorway and
greeted my companion and myself.
This case will make stir, SIR he
remarked. 1T beats anything I have
seen. and am no chicken"
There is no clew?" said Gregson.
"None at ALL chimed in Lestrade
Sherlock Holmes approached the
body, and, kneeling down, examined it
intently. you are sure that there is
DO wound?'' he asked, pointing to num-
erous gouts and splashes of blood which
lay all around
Positive" cried both detectives,
Then, of course, this blood belongs
to a second individual-presuna the
murderer, if murder has been com
mitted. 1t reminds me of the circum-
stances attendant on the death of Van
Jansen, in Utrecht, in the year "a. Do
you remember the case, Gregsong'
mo, SIR"
Read it up-you really should. There
Is nothing new under the sun. 1t has
all been done before"
Tying here there and everywhere. feel
ing, pressing unbuttoning, examining,
while his eyes wore the same far-away
expression which ! have already re-
marked upon. So swiftly was the ex-
animation made that one would hardly
have guessed the minuteness with
which it was conducted Finally, he
shifted the dead mans lips, and then
glanced at the soles of his patent-leath-
er boots.
HE has not been moved at alig' he
asked.
Not more than was necessary for
the purpose of our examination"
You can take him to the mortuary
now" he said There is nothing more
to be learned"
Gregson had a stretcher and four
men at hand. At his call they entered
the room, and the stranger was lifted
and carried out AS they raised him, a
ring hnkled down and rolled across the
floor. Lestrade grabbed it up and star
ed at it with mystified eyes,
There's been a woman here" he
cried. Its woman's wedding ring"
He held it out as he spoke, upon the
palm of his hand. We all gathered
round him and gazed at it, There could
be no doubt that that circlet of plain
gold had once adorned the finger Of
bride.
''This complexities matters" said
Gregson. Heaven knows, they were
complicated before
You're sure it doesn't simplify
them? observed Holmes. There's
nothing to be learned by staring at it.
What did you find in his pocketsY'
eve have it all here" said Gregson,
pointing to a litter of objects upon one
of the bottom steps of the stairs. "a
gold watch, No. 97,163, by Barraud, of
London. Gold Albert chain, very heavy
and solid. Gold ring with Masonic de-
vice. Gold pin-bull-dog head, with ru-
bies as eyes. Russian leather card-case
with cards EnOch j. Drebber, Of Cleye-
land, corresponding with the q. ]. d.,
upon the linen. No purse, but loose
money to the extent of seven pounds
thirteen. Pocket edition of Boccaccio's
'Decameron,' with the name Of Joseph
Strangerson upon the tiy-leaf Two let
ters-one addressed to e. J. Drebber
and one to Joseph Strangerson."
AT what address|
American Exchange, Strand-to be
left till called for. They are both from
the Guion Steamship Company, and re-
fer to the sailing of their boats from
Liverpool 1t is clear that this unfor-
tunate man was about to return to
New York"
Have you made any inquiries as to
this man Strangerson?"
Il did it at once, SIR" said Gregson.
i have had advertisements sent to all
the newspapers, and one of nv men
has gone to the American Exchange.
but has not returned yet.
Have you sent to Cleveland"
I'VE telegraphcd this morning."
How did you word your inquiries p"
I'VE simply detailed the circum-
STANCES and said that we should be glad
of any information which could help
u.s.
did you not ask for particulars on