The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-07-06
Chapter IlE-<ccntinues,,

all the larger from the absence of all
furniture. A vulgar. flnling paper
| adorned the walls. hut 1t was blotclled
in places with mildew, and here and
here great strips had become detached
and hung down, exposing the yellow
plaster beneath. Opposite the door was
snowy fireplace, srrmOuntcd by u
mantel-piccc Of imitation white marble.
On one corner Of this was stuck the
stump Of red wax candle. The soli-
tary window was SO dirty that the light
was hazy and uncertain, giving a dull
gray tinge to everything. which was
intensified by the thick layer OF dust
which coated the whole apartment.
All these details l observed after
ward. At present my attention was
conferred upon the single, grim, motion
less figure which lay stretched upon the
boards, with vacantsightless eyes star
ing up ut the diseolorcd ceiling. 1t was
that of Il man about forty three or forty
four years of age, midille-sizcd broad
shouldered, with crisp, curling black
hair, and a short stubby beard. He was
dressed in heavy brOadcloth frOck
coat and waistcoat. with light-colorcd
trousers, and immaculate collar and
cuffs. A top hat. well brushed and
trim, was placed upon the floor beside
him. His hands were clinched and his
arms thrown abroad. while his lower
limbs were interlOcked as though his
death struggle had been Il grievous one.
On his rigid face there stood an express
sion Of horror and. as it seemd to me,
Of hatred. such as l have never seen
upon human features. This malignant
md fnYss,f1,vn En,O1Niunl n,,1t1,
the low forehead. blunt nose. and prog
nathOus jaw, gave the dead man sing
ularly simio'ls and upe-like appear
ing unnatural posture. have seen
death in many forms. but never has it
appeared to me IN Il more fcarsonlc ns-
pect than in that dark, srimy apart
Mcnt, which looked out upon one of the
main arteries of suburban London.
Lestrade. lean and ferrct-like as ever,
was standing by the doorway and
greeted my companion and myself.
This case will make stir, sir" he
remarked. ut beats anything have
| seen, and I am no chicken"
There is no clcw?" said Gregson.
"None Mt ALL" chimed in desirable.
Sherlock Holmes approached the
body. and, kneeling down, examined 1t
intcntly. You are sure that there is
no wound!" he asked, pointing to num-
erOus gOuts and splashes Of blood which
lay all around.
"POsitive!" cried both detectives.
"Then, Of course, this blood belongs
to second ndividual-presunmbly the
murderer, II murder has been com.
United. 1t reminds me Of the circum.
stances attendant on the death of Van
Jansen. in Utrecht, In the year 81. Do
you remember the case, Gregson?"
mo, SIR"
READ 1t up-yOu really should. There
Is nothing new under the sun. 1t has
all been done before"
As he spoke, his nimble fingers were
flying here there and everywhere, feel
ing, pressing unbuttOning examining,
while his eyes wore the same far-away
expression which l have already re-
marked upon. So swiftly was the cx-
animation made that one would hardly
have guessed the minutcncss with
which 1t was conducted. Finally, he
shifted the dead mans lips. and then
| glanced ut the soles of his patent-leatll-
| err boots.
"Hc has not been moved at all." he
asked.
Not more than was necessary for
the purpose of our examination"
You can take him to the mortuary
! now" he said. There il nothing more
to be learned"
GregsOn had a stretchcr and four
men Mt hand. At his call they entered
the room, and the stranger was lifted
and carried out. AS they raised him. n
ring tinkled down and rolled across the
floor. Lestrade grabbed it up and star
cd ut 1t with mystitied eyes.
"rhere's been a woman here" he
cried. Its a woman's wedding ring"
| He held 1t out as he spoke, upon the
palm Of his hand. We all gathered
round him and gaZed at it. There could
be no doubt that that circlct of plain
| gold had once adorned the finger OF n
bride.
| This complexities Matters" said
Gregson. Heaven knows, they were
complicated before"
You're sure it doesn't simnlifv
them" observed Holmes. "rhere's
nothing to be learned by staring Mt n
What did you find in his pocketsy'
1--WE have 1t all here" said Grcrson
pointing to litter of objects uDon ono
Of the bottom steps of the stairs. "A
gold watch, No. 97,1G3, by Rarraud Of
London. Gold Albert chain. very hc,,vv
and solid. Gold ring with Masonic ds.
wee. Gold pin-bull-dog head, with ru-
pies US eyes: Russian leather car.l-case
with cards EnOch ]. Drebber, of Clnyc.
land, corresponding with the Il. ]. d..
upon the linen. No purse, but loose
money to the extent of seven pounds
tnirteen. Pocket edition of Boccaccio's
Decameron,' with the name Of Joseph
strangerson upon the fiy-lcaf. Two let
| tefs-one addressed to Il. J. Drebbcr
ana one to Joseph StrHngcrson."
AT what address?"
american Exchange, Strand-to he
.eft tn called for. They are both from
the Guion Steamship Company, and r.
Ter to the sailing Of their boats from
Liverpool. 1t is clear that this unfor-
tunate man was about to return tn
New York"
Have you made any inquiries as to
this man Strangerson?
u did 1t Mt once. SIR" said Grecson
Il have had advertisements sent to all
the newspapers, and one of nv men
has gone to the American Exchange.
but mas not returned vet.
| Have you sent to Cleveland?"
we telegrapl,cd this morning"
| How did you word your injuries ~
I'VE simply detailed the circum.
stances and said that we should be glad
OF any information which conll holm
u.s."
Did you not ask for particulars on
any point which appeared to you to liz
crucial!'
Il asked about StraDgerson."
Nothing else? Is there no circum.
stance on which this whole case nm.
pears to hinge? viii you not telegraph
| again?'
Il have said all have to saw" said
GregsOn, In an offended voice,
Sherlock Holmes chucklcd to himself.
and appeared to be about to make
| some remark, when Lestrade, who had
| been In the front room while We were
holding this conversation in the hall,
reappeared upon the scene, rubbing
his hands In pompous and self-satis.
fled manner.
Mr.. Gregson," he said, II have Just
made q discovery Of the highest i'm.
portance, and one which would have
been overlooked had not made a care.
full examination of the walls.'
The little mans eyes sparkled rs he
spoke, and he was evidently In a state
OF suppressed exultatiOn lat having
scored point against his colleague.
1 V(tnnn hn