The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-04-27

written by the other participant In
last nights mystery. have not
had time to examine this room yet
but with your permission shall do SC
now"
As he spoke he whipped a 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
fiat 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
watched him | was irresistibly re-
minded of -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 ais 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 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 1t with the
most minute exactness. 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 smile. 'It's a very bad defini-
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
to appreciate the fact. which | had be-
gun to realize, that Sherlock Holmes
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 l was to presume
to help you," remarked my friend.
would be a pity for anyone to inter
fere." There was world of sarcasm
in his voice, as he spoke. ''If you will
let me know how your Investigations
60" he continued, 81 shall be happy
to give you any help 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 will find him at 46
Audley court, Remington park gate"
Holmes took a note of the address.
Come along, Doctor" he said; 1--WE
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 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 Trichinopoly
cigar. He came here with his victim
in a four-wheeled cab, which was
drawn by horse with three old shoes
and one new one on his off fore-leg.
In all probability the murderer had
horid face, and the fingcr-nails of his
right hand were remarkably long.
These are 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
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.