The Globe-republican., 1894-05-18
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CHAPTER VL-CoNTINUED
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

caught her by the wrist and endeavored
to draw her toward the door,
screamed, and at that moment my SOD
Arthur came into the room. What
happened then l do not know.
heard oaths and the confused sounds
CT scuff1e. l was too terrified &c
raise my head. When did look up !
saw Arthur standing in the doorway
laughing, with a stick in his hand.
81 don't think that fine fellow will
trouble us again." he said 81 will
just go after him and see what he does
with himself" With those words he
took his hat and started off down the
street. The next morning we heard of
Mr.. Drebber's mysterious death
"This statement came from Mrs.
Charpentier's lips with many gasps
and pauses. At times she spoke SC
low that / could hardly catch the
words. made shorthand notee of all
that she said, however, so that there
should be no possibility of mistake -
It's quite exciting" said Sherlock
Holmes, with a yawn. "What happened
neXt?"
'When Mrs. Charpentier paused -
the detective continued, 81 saw that
the whole case hung upon one point.
Fixing her with my eye in a way which
/ always found effective with women,
l asked her at what hour her son re-
turned.
81 do not know she answered
mot know"
"'No; he has latch-key, and let
himself in
latter you went to bed?'
eyes
"'When did you go to bed?'
"'About eleven
$3.50 your son was gone at least two
hours?'
Yes
Possibly four or FIVE"
Yes
What was he doing during that
timer
81 do not know she answered, turn
ing white to her very lips.
''Of course after that there was
nothing more to be done. found ont
where Lieut.. Charpentier was, took
two officers with me. and arrested him.
When l touched him on the shoulder
and warned him to come quietly with
US, he answered us as bold as brass: Il
suppose you are arresting me for being
concerned in the death of that scoun-
drel. Drebber,' he said. We had said
nothing TO him about it, So that his
abiding to it had a most suspicious
aspect"
..Very." said Holmes
HE still carried the heavy stick
having with him when he followed
Drebber. 1t was a stout oak cudgel."
What is your theory, then?"
'Well, my theory is that he followed
Drebber as far as the Brixton road.
When there, a fresh alteration arose
between them, in the course OF which
Drebber received a blow from the
stick. in the pit of the stomach. per
haps, which killed him without leaving
any mark. The night was so wet that
no one was about, so Carpenter
dragged the body of his victim into
the empty house. AS to the candle,
and the blood. and the writing on the
wall, and the ring, they may all be so
many tricks to throw the police on to
the wrong scent"
"Well done!' said Holmes, in an en-
couraging voice. Really, Gregson,
you are getting along. We shall make
something of you yet"
81 fiatter myself that have man.
aged it rather neatly" the detective
answered proudly. THE young man
volunteered q statement, in which he
said that after following Drebber some
time. the latter perceived him, and
took cab in order to get away from
him. On his way home he met an old
shipmate, and took long walk with
him. On being asked where this old
shipmate lived. he was unable to give
any satisfactory reply. think the
whole case fits together uncommonly
we'll. What amuses me is to think OF
Lestrade. who had started of upon the
wrUng scent l am afraid he won,
make much of it. Why. by Jove. here's
the very man himself!'
1t was indeed Lestrade, who had
ascended the stairs while we were
talking. and who now entered the
room. The assurance and jauDtiness
which generally marked his demeanol
and dress were, however, wanting
His face was disturbed and troubled
while his clothes were disarrangeG
and untidy. He had evidently come
with the intention of consulting with
Sherlock Holmes, for on perceiving hi.
colleague he appeared to be embar
raised and put out He stood in the
center Of the room. fumbling nervous
" with his hat, and uncertain what e
do. This is a most extraordinary
case" he said at last-',a most incom
prehensible affair"
''Ah. you find it so. Mr.. Lestrader
cried Gregson, triumphantly. SO
thought you would come; to that. con
0ausion. Have you managed to find
- secretsry. Mr.. Joseph Stangersonr