Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-02-23
CHAPTER VI


: The papers next day were full of the
'.Brixton mystery" as they termed it.
Each had long account of the affair,
and some had leaders upon it in addi-
ton. There was some information in
them which was new to me. l still re-
tain IN my scrap book numerous clip
pings and extracts bearing upon the
case. Here is a condensation of few
of them:
The Daily Telegraph remarked that
in the history of crime there had sell
dom been a tragedy which presented
stranger features. The German name
Of the victim, the absence of all other
motive, and the sinister inscription on
the wall. all pointed to its perpetration
by political refugees and revolution
lists. The socialists bad many branchse
in America, and the deceased had, no
doubt, infringed their unwritten laws
and been tracked down by them.
After alluding airily to the Vehm-
gericht. aqua tofana, Carbonari, the
Marchioness de Brinvilliers, the Oar
winian theory, the principles of
Nautilus and the Ratcliff highway
murders, the article concluded by ad-
monishing the government and advo-
eating q closer watch over foreigners
in England.
The Standard commented upon the
fact that lawless outrages Of the sort
usually occurred under a liberal adj
ministration. They arose from the
unsettling Of the minds of the masses.
and the consequent weakening of all
authority. The deceased was an
American gentleman who had been
residing for some weeks in the
metropolis. He had stayed at the
clearinghouse Of Mime. Charpentier,
in Torquay Terrace, Camberwel He
was accompanied in his travels by his
private secratary, Mr.. Joseph -Stanger-
son. The two bade adieu to their
landlady upon Tuesday, the 4th inst,
and departed to Euston station with
the avowed intention of catching the
Liverpool express They were after
ward seen together on the platform.
Nothing more is known of them until
Mr.. Drebber's body was, as recorded,
discovered in an empty house in the
Brixton road. many miles from Euston.
How he came there or how he met his
fate are questions which are still in
volved in mystery. Nothing is known
of the whereabouts of Stangerson.
We are glad to learn that Mr.. Les
trade and Mr.. Gregson, of Scotland
Yard, are both engaged upon the case,
and it is confidently anticipated that
these well-lnown officers will speedily
throw light upon the matter.
The Daily News observed that there
was no doubt as to the crime being
political one. The despotism and ha-
tired Of liberalism which animated the
continental governments had had the
effect of driving to our shores a number
Of men who might have made excellent
citizens were they not soured by the
recollection of all that they had un-
dergone Among these men there was
a stringent code of honor, any in
fringement of which was punished by
death Every effort should be made
to find the secretary, Stangerson, and
to ascertain some particulars of the
habits of the deceased. A great step
had been gained by the discovery of
the address of the house at which he
had boarded result which was en-
tirely due to the acuteness and energy
of Mr.. Gregson, of Scotland Yard
Sherlock Holmes and | read these
notices over together at breakfast, and
they appeared to afford him considera-
BILE amusement.
II told you that whatever happened
Lestrade and Gregson would be sure to
score
''That depends on how it turns out -
''Oh, bless you, it doesn't matter in
the least If the man is caught it viii
be on account of their exertions; if he
escapes it win be in spite of their ex-
ertions. It's heads | win and tails you
lose. Whatever they do they will have
followers. I'm sot truve toujours uD
plus sot qui l'admire.
''What on earth is this?" I cried, for
at this moment there came the patter-
ing of many steps in the hall and on
the stairs. accompanied by audible ex,
pressions of disgust upon the part of
our landlady.
''It's the Baker street division of the
detective police force" said my com
panion gravely; and as he spoke there
rushed into the room half dozen OF
the dirtiest and most ragged street
Arabs that ever clapped eyes on.
"'Tentionl" cried Holmes, in a sharp
tone, and the six dirty little seoun-
drels stood in a line like so many statu
cites. In future you shall send up
Wiggins alone TO report, and the rest