Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-10-11

less figure which lay stretched upon the
boards, with vacant sightless eyes star
ing up at the discolored ceiling. 1t was
that of man about forty-three or forty
four years of age, middle-sized. broad
shouldered, with crisp, curling black
| hair. and short stubby beard. He was
dressed in heavy broadcloth frock
coat and waistcoat, with light-colored
trousers, and immaculate collar and
cuffs. A top hat, we'll 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 grievous one.
| On his rigid face there stood an express
sion Of horror and, as it seemd to me,
| of hatred, such as I have never seen
| upon human features. This malignant
! and terrible cOntortiOn combined with
! the low forehead blunt nose, and prog
nathous jaw, gave the dead man sing
ularly simious and ape-like appear
ance which was increased by his with
| ing unnatural posture. l have seen
death in many forms. but never has it
| appeared to me in more fearsome as
| pect than in that dark. srinly apart
ment. 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. 'It beats anything have
seen. and l am no chicken"
There is no clew?" said Gregson.
"None at all" chimed in Lestrade
Sherlock Holmes approached the
body. and. kneeling down, examined it
intently You are sure that there is
DO 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 Il second acknowledgements the
murderer. if murder has been com
mitted. 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, GreGsonY'
NO, Sir"
Read it 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
While his eyes wore the same far-away
expression which 1 have already re-
marked upon. So swiftly was the ex-
animation made that one would hardly
haze guessed the minuteness with
which it was conducted. Finally. he
shifted the dead mans lips. and then
glanced at the soles Of his patent-leath-
err boots.
all l.
asked.
Not more than was necessary for
the purpose of our examination
You can take him to the mortuary
now he said. There is nothing more
to be learned
Gregson had stretchcr and four
men at hand. At his call they entered
the room. and the stranger was lifted
and carried out. AS they raised him.
ring tinkled down and rolled across the
floor Lestrade grabbed it up and star
ed at it with mystitied eyes
There's been a woman here" he
cried. Its woman's wedding ring"
He held it 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 circlet of plain
gold had once adorned the finger of a
bride
This complexities matters.' said
Gregson. Heaven knows, they were
complicated before"
YOU'RE sure it doesn't simplify
them?' observed Holmes. "There's
nothing to be learned by staring at it.
what did you find in his pockets?'
n tlH all
pointing to litter of objects upon one
OF the bottom steps Of the stairs. "a
gold watch. Nc. 97.1G3, by Earraud, of
London: Gold Albert chain. very heavy
and solid. Gold ring with Masonic de-
wee Go!u pin-bull-llo:s, head, with rll-
bies as eyes. Russian leather card-case
with cards Enoch ]. Drebber, of Cleve-
land, corresponding with the e. J. D.,
upon the linen. No purse, but loose
money to the extent Of seven pounds
thirteen. Pocket edition of Boccaccio's
.DecameroH, with Tie name Of Joseph
SSranserson '7ron the tly-leaf Two let
ters-one addressed to Z. J. Drebber
ana enc to Joseph Strangerson."
at what address,
American Exchange. Strand-to be
LETT TIL Called for. They are both from
tAAS "uioA1 Aottdl!lo!ili) NDnlDIHN, ana re-
fer to the sailing OF their boats from
Liverpool. 1t is clear that this unfor-
tunate man was about to return to
New York"
Have you made any inquiries as to
this man Stranserson
II did it at once, SIR" said Gre:son.
Il have had advertisements sent to all
the newspapers. and one Of my men
has gone to the American Exchange,
but has not returned yet.
Have YOU sent to Cleye!and?"
We tcle2ra plrl this morning"
"How did you word your inquiries?"
I'VE simply detailed the circum-
stances and said that we should be glad
OF any information which could help
u.s."
Did you not ask for particulars ON
any point which appeared to you to be
crucial"
Il asked about Strangerson."
Nothing else? Is there no circum.
stance on which this whole case ap-
pears to hinge? Will yon not telegraph
again?'
have said all l have to say" said
I rrpYSOn In M nffopHoJ ,,,>ioo