Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-06-14

written by the other participant IN
last nights mystery. ! have no:
had time to examine this room yet,
| but with your permission shall do SO
now"
AS he spoke he whipped tape
measure and 4 large. round magnify
ing glass from his pocket. With these
two instruments he trottcd noiselessly
about the room, sometimes stopping,
occasionally lSnecling, and once lying
fat on his face. So engrossed 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 EXPLANATIONS, groans,
whistles, and little cries suggestive of
encouragement and hope As
watched him I was irresistibly re-
minded of a pure-blooded, we1l-trained
foX-hound as it dashes backward and
forward through the covert, whining
in its cagerness, until it comes across
the lost scent. For twenty minutes or
more he continued his researches,
measuring with the most exact care
the distance between marks which
were entirely invisible to me, and occa-
sionally applying his tape to the walls
in an equally incomprehensible man
ner. In one place he gathered very
carefully q 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 ezactness. This done, he
appeared to be satisfied, for he re-
placed the tape and glass in his pocket.
They say that genius is an infinite
capacity for taking pains" he remarked
with a smile. Its a very bad defni-
ton, but it does apply to detective
work"
Gregson and Lestrade had watched
the maneuvers of their amateur COM
panion with considerable curiosity and
some contempt. They evidently failed
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.
1T would be robbing you of the
credit of the case if l was to presume
to help you," remarked my friend.
''You are doing so well now that it
would be pity for anyone to inter
fere." There was a world of sarcasm
in his voice, as he spoke. IF you will
let me know how your Investigations
co." he continued, Il shall be happy
to give you any help l can. In the
meantime, / should like to speak to
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 off
duty now. You viii find him at 40
Audley court, Remington park gate
Holmes took note of the address.
Come along, DOCTOR he said; I've
shall go and look him up. I'll tell you
one thing which may help you in the
case," he continued, turning to the
two detectives. There has been
murder done, and the murderer was
man. He was more than six feet high,
was in the prime of life, had small feet
for his height, wore coarse, square
toed boots and smoked Trichinopoly
cigar. He came here with his victim
in a four-wheeled cab, which was
drawn by a horse with three old shoes
and one new one on his off fore-leg.
In all probability the murderer had a
forid face, and the finger-nails of his
right hand were remarkably long.
These arc only few indications, but
they may assist you"
Lestrade and Gregson glanced at
each other with an incredulous smile.
''If this man was murdered, how
was it done?" asked the former.
''Poison," said Sherlock Holmes, curt.
", and strobe off, Zone other thing,
Lestrade,' he added, turning round at
the door; Z" 'Rache' is the German for
revenge so don't lose your time look
ing for Miss Rachel"
With which Parthian shot he walked
away, leaving the two rivals open
mouthed behind him.