Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-04-26


! fallen away in these parts. In this
sparticular corner of the room a large
piece had peeled OF, leaving a yellow
square of coarse plastering. Across
this bare space there was scrawled in
blood-red letters a single word:
RACHE.
"What do you think of that?' cried
the detective, with the air of a show
man exhibiting his show. ''This was
overlooked because it was in the dark
est corner of the room, and no one
thought of looking there. The muir
derer has written it with his or her
own blood. See this smear where it
has trickled down the WALL That dis
| poses of the idea of suicide, anyhow.
Why was hat corner chosen to write
it on? I will tell you. See that candle
on the mantel piece. 1t was lit at
the time, and if it was lit this corner
would be the brightest instead of the
darkest portion of the wall"
And what does it mean, now that
you have found it?'' asked Gregson, in
a deprecatory voice.
mean? Why, it means hat the
writet vas going to put the female
name Rachel, but was disturbed be-
fore he or h had time to finish. You
mark my words, when this case comes
to be cleared up you will find that a
woman named Rachel has something
to dc with it. It's all very well for
you to laugh, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes.
You may be very smar and clever. but
the old hound is best, when all is said
and done"
Il really beg your pardon!' said my
companion, who had ruffied the little
mans temper by bursting into an ex-
plosion of laughter. You certainly
nave the credit of being TIE first of US
to find this out, and, as you say, it
bears every mark OF having been
written by the other participant in
last nights mystery. / have not
had time to examine this room yet,
but with your permission 1 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 noiselessly
about the room, sometimes stopping,
occasionally kneeling, and once lying
flat 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 ordinations, grOans,
whistles, and little cries suggestive of
encouragement and hope. As l
watched him l was irrc3istibly re-
minded of a pure-blooded, well-trained
fox-hound as it dasheS backward and
forward through the covert, whining
in its eagernesS, 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 h walls
in an equally inconprehensible man
ner. In one place he gathered very
carefully a little pile of gray lust 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 exactness. This done. h.
appeared II he Sittiaat. IL &c re
placed the tape and glass il his pocket.
They say tina genius is an infinite
capacity for taking pains" he remarked
ton. but it does apply to detective
work"
Gregson ard Lestradc had watched
/ VIZ 81 ~ VI S-AS@@ SD@@A
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.
st would be robbing You OF the
credit of the case if | was to presume
to help YOU remarked my friend.
you are doing so well now hat it
would be a pity for anyone to inter
fere." There vas 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 / can. In the
meantime, l 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. II is off
duty now. You will find him at 10
Audley court, Remington park gate"
Holmes took a 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
cast; lie COul1nu0u, tCTAlHS 10 J1lC
two detectives. There has been
murder done, and the murderer was a
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 a 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-ler.
In all probability the murderer had a
ford face, and the fnger-nails of his
right hand were remarkably long.
These are only a few indications, but
they may assist you"
Lestrade and Gregson glanced at
each other with ar in~credulous smile.
"If this man was murdered, how
was it done?" asked the former.
Poison said Sherlock Holmes, curt
ly, and strobe off. Zone other thing,
Lestrade," he added, turning round at
the door; '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.
CHAPTER ~.
WHAT JoHN RANcE had TO TELL
It was one o'clock when we left No.
8 Lauriston gardens. Sherlock Holmes