Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-11-01

CT dozen of the force" Holmes re-
marked THE mere sight of an Off
cial looking person seals mems lips.
These youngsters however go every
where and hear everything. They are
rs sharp as needles, too; all they want
is organization"
rs it on this BriXton case that you
are employing them?" l asked.
Yes; there is point which l wish
to ascertain. 1t is merely Il matter OF
time. Hullo! We are going to hear
some news now with vengeance! Here
is Gresson coming down the road with
beatitude written upon every feature
of his face. Bound for us. l know.
Yes. he is stopping. There he ISL
There was a violent peal at the bell.
and in a few seconds the fair-haired
detective came up the stairs. three
steps at Il time. and burst into our
sitting-room.
My dear fellow he cried. wrinsins
Holiness unresponsive hand, con
graduate me! l have made the whole
thing as clear rs day
A shade af anxiety seemed to me to
pass over my companions face.
DO you mean that you are on the
right track?''
THE right track! Why. sir. we have
the man under lock and key.
"And his name is?'
Arthur Charpentier. sub-lieutenant
in her majestys navy" cried Gregson.
pompously. rubbing his fat hands and
initiating his chest
Sherlock Holmes gave sigh of relief
and relaxed into smile.
Take seat and try one of those CT
CARS" he said. I'VE ere anxious to
know how you have managed it, Will
you have some whisky and water?'
Il don't mind if l do" the detective
answered. The tremendous exertlons
which l have gone through during the
last day or two have worn me out.
Not so much bodily eXertion. you I'M
derstand. as the strain upon the mind.
You will appreciate that. Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes, for we are both brain-wOrk-
ers"
you do me too much honor" said
Holmes. gravely. Let us hear how
you arrived ut this most gratifying re-
suit"
The detective seated himself in the
armchair and puffed complacently at
his cigar: then suddenly, he slapped his
thigh in paroxysm Of amusement.
1.-The fun of it is" he cried, that
that fool Lestrade, who thinks him.
self so smart has gone off on the wrong
scent altogether. He is after the sec
rotary. Strangers son, who had no more
to do with the crime than babe un-
born. have no doubt that he has
caught him by this time
The idea ticklet Gregson so much
that he laughed until he checked.
"Ah. I'll tell you all about it. OF
course, DR.. Watson. this is strictly be-
tween ourselves. The first difficulty
finding of his American antecedents
Some people would have waited until
their advertisements We're answered,
or until parties came forward and vol
unteered information. This is not To-
bias Gregson's way Of going to work.
You remember the hat beside the dead
man"'
''Yes," said Holmes; "by John Under
wood & Sons, No. 100 Camberwell
road.'
Gregson looked quite crest fallen.
II had no idea that you noticed that"
he said. Have you been there?"
sNo"
"Haw cried Gregson, in relieved
voice; you should never neglect a
chance. however small it may seem"
"Well, went to Underwood and ask
ed him if he had sold hat of that size
and description. He looked over the
books and came on it at once. He had
sent the hat to Mr. Drebber, residing
at Charpentier's boarding establish
ment. Torquay terrace. Thus got his
address,"
''Smart-very smartv' murmured
Sherlock Holmes.
Il next called upon Nine. Charpen-
tier" continued the detective. II
found her very pale and distressed.
Her daughter was in the room, too
an uncommonly fine girl she is, too;
she was looking red about the eyes,
and her lips trembled as I spoke to
her. That didn't escape my notice l
began to smell rat. You know the
feeling, Mr.. Sherlock Holmes, when
you come upon the right scent-a kind
Of thrill in your nerves. Have you
heard of the mysterious death of your
late Doartler. Mr. Enocll J. Drebber, Of
Cleveland?" asked.
The mother nodded. She didn't seem
able to get out a word. The daughter
burst into tears felt more than ever
that these people knew something
about the matter.
- At what o'clock did Mr.. Drebber
leave your house for the train?" ask
cd
at S O'clock she said, gulping in
her throat to keep down her agitation.
His secretary, Mr.. Stangerson. said
there were two trains-one at 9'15 and
enc ut II. He was to catch the first ,
And was that the last which you
saw Of him!
A terrible change came over the wo-
mans face as I asked the question
Her features turned perfectedly livid.
1t was some seconds before she could
get out the single word. 'Yes'-and
when it did come it was in u husky.
unnatural voice.
There Has silence for a moment,
and then the daughter spoke in u calm
clear voice.
No good can ever come Of false
| hood. mother. she said Let us be
frank with this gentleman. We did
see Mr.. Drebber again.
God forgive you" cried Nine Char
nontipr throwing I'm hpr hands md